U.S. patent number 8,230,859 [Application Number 12/605,406] was granted by the patent office on 2012-07-31 for method and apparatus for regulating fluid.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Ameriflo, Inc.. Invention is credited to David A. Ferrer, Matthew G. Thie, James A. Voege.
United States Patent |
8,230,859 |
Voege , et al. |
July 31, 2012 |
Method and apparatus for regulating fluid
Abstract
Fluid regulators provide a fluid to a cannula for use by a
person. Fluid conservers also a fluid to a cannula for use by a
person. A fluid conserver may be operational in a continuous flow
mode of operation and an intermittent flow mode of operation. The
selection of either the continuous flow mode of operation and the
intermittent flow mode of operation may be based on a position of a
flow selector. A home fill device may operate with a fluid
conserver and may include an oxygen concentrator which provides a
source of fluid.
Inventors: |
Voege; James A. (Carmel,
IN), Thie; Matthew G. (Indianapolis, IN), Ferrer; David
A. (Westfield, IN) |
Assignee: |
Ameriflo, Inc. (Carmel,
IN)
|
Family
ID: |
41279564 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/605,406 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
11725392 |
Mar 19, 2007 |
7617826 |
|
|
|
11724350 |
Mar 15, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
11069084 |
Feb 28, 2005 |
|
|
|
|
60784216 |
Mar 20, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
60783243 |
Mar 17, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
60782736 |
Mar 15, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
60548058 |
Feb 26, 2004 |
|
|
|
|
60606288 |
Sep 1, 2004 |
|
|
|
|
60620890 |
Oct 21, 2004 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
128/204.26;
128/204.21; 128/204.18; 222/3; 128/205.24; 128/201.21;
128/207.18 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M
16/0666 (20130101); A61M 16/20 (20130101); A61M
16/202 (20140204); A61M 16/101 (20140204); A61M
16/0866 (20140204); A61M 16/0677 (20140204); A61M
16/10 (20130101); A61M 16/201 (20140204); A61M
16/207 (20140204); A61M 16/107 (20140204) |
Current International
Class: |
A61M
16/20 (20060101); A62B 7/02 (20060101); A62B
7/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;128/204.26,204.18,204.21,205.24,913,200.24,201.21,201.27,201.28,202.27
;222/3 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
2912979 |
November 1959 |
Lieber |
3400712 |
September 1968 |
Finan |
3400713 |
September 1968 |
Finan |
3434471 |
March 1969 |
Liston |
3556095 |
January 1971 |
Ismach |
3567175 |
March 1971 |
Sciuto |
3604415 |
September 1971 |
Hoenig |
3643660 |
February 1972 |
Hudson et al. |
3741208 |
June 1973 |
Jonsson et al. |
3783891 |
January 1974 |
Christianson |
3802417 |
April 1974 |
Lang |
3805780 |
April 1974 |
Cramer et al. |
3807687 |
April 1974 |
Thompson |
3830257 |
August 1974 |
Metivier |
3834382 |
September 1974 |
Lederman et al. |
3905362 |
September 1975 |
Eyrick et al. |
3910270 |
October 1975 |
Stewart |
3911899 |
October 1975 |
Hattes |
3911948 |
October 1975 |
Collins et al. |
3949749 |
April 1976 |
Stewart |
3964476 |
June 1976 |
Palleni |
4003377 |
January 1977 |
Dahl |
4008716 |
February 1977 |
Amlong |
4033343 |
July 1977 |
Jones |
4054133 |
October 1977 |
Myers |
4057059 |
November 1977 |
Reid, Jr. et al. |
4062356 |
December 1977 |
Merrifield |
4064890 |
December 1977 |
Collins et al. |
4082093 |
April 1978 |
Fry et al. |
4096875 |
June 1978 |
Jones et al. |
4098272 |
July 1978 |
Stewart |
4106503 |
August 1978 |
Rosenthal et al. |
4120300 |
October 1978 |
Tiep |
4155356 |
May 1979 |
Venegas |
4172468 |
October 1979 |
Ruus |
4206754 |
June 1980 |
Cox et al. |
4211221 |
July 1980 |
Schwanbom et al. |
4227523 |
October 1980 |
Warnow et al. |
4232668 |
November 1980 |
Strupat |
4241732 |
December 1980 |
Berndtsson |
4241896 |
December 1980 |
Voege |
4256138 |
March 1981 |
Chapman |
4278110 |
July 1981 |
Price et al. |
4323064 |
April 1982 |
Hoenig et al. |
4331455 |
May 1982 |
Sato |
4333451 |
June 1982 |
Paluch |
4336590 |
June 1982 |
Jacq et al. |
4363424 |
December 1982 |
Holben et al. |
4366947 |
January 1983 |
Voege |
4381002 |
April 1983 |
Mon |
4409977 |
October 1983 |
Bisera et al. |
4428372 |
January 1984 |
Beysel et al. |
4436090 |
March 1984 |
Darling |
4436434 |
March 1984 |
Stoll et al. |
4449990 |
May 1984 |
Tedford, Jr. |
4450838 |
May 1984 |
Miodownik |
4457303 |
July 1984 |
Durkan |
4459982 |
July 1984 |
Fry |
4461293 |
July 1984 |
Chen |
4471773 |
September 1984 |
Bunnell et al. |
4477264 |
October 1984 |
Kratz |
4481944 |
November 1984 |
Bunnell |
4502873 |
March 1985 |
Mottram et al. |
4532923 |
August 1985 |
Flynn |
4538604 |
September 1985 |
Usry et al. |
4552571 |
November 1985 |
Dechene |
4561287 |
December 1985 |
Rowland |
4572175 |
February 1986 |
Flynn |
4575042 |
March 1986 |
Grimland et al. |
4576616 |
March 1986 |
Mottram et al. |
4581942 |
April 1986 |
Ogura et al. |
4584996 |
April 1986 |
Blum |
4586136 |
April 1986 |
Lewis |
4592349 |
June 1986 |
Bird |
4596247 |
June 1986 |
Whitwam et al. |
4612928 |
September 1986 |
Tiep et al. |
4617924 |
October 1986 |
Heim et al. |
4627860 |
December 1986 |
Rowland |
4644947 |
February 1987 |
Whitwam et al. |
4644958 |
February 1987 |
Brisson et al. |
4648395 |
March 1987 |
Sato et al. |
4665911 |
May 1987 |
Williams et al. |
4673415 |
June 1987 |
Stanford |
4681099 |
July 1987 |
Sato et al. |
4698075 |
October 1987 |
Dechene |
4699173 |
October 1987 |
Rohling |
4706664 |
November 1987 |
Snook et al. |
4712557 |
December 1987 |
Harris |
4719910 |
January 1988 |
Jensen |
4744356 |
May 1988 |
Greenwood |
4747402 |
May 1988 |
Reese et al. |
4747403 |
May 1988 |
Gluck et al. |
4784130 |
November 1988 |
Kenyon et al. |
4805612 |
February 1989 |
Jensen |
4821709 |
April 1989 |
Jensen |
4823788 |
April 1989 |
Smith et al. |
4827922 |
May 1989 |
Champain et al. |
4829998 |
May 1989 |
Jackson |
4832014 |
May 1989 |
Perkins |
4832578 |
May 1989 |
Putt |
4838257 |
June 1989 |
Hatch |
4844446 |
July 1989 |
Thie et al. |
4932402 |
June 1990 |
Snook et al. |
4936327 |
June 1990 |
Baumann |
4938212 |
July 1990 |
Snook et al. |
4940162 |
July 1990 |
Thie |
4960119 |
October 1990 |
Hamlin |
4971049 |
November 1990 |
Rotariu et al. |
4971609 |
November 1990 |
Pawlos |
4986268 |
January 1991 |
Tehrani |
5005570 |
April 1991 |
Perkins |
5007420 |
April 1991 |
Bird |
5016673 |
May 1991 |
Carter et al. |
5020974 |
June 1991 |
Searle |
5033940 |
July 1991 |
Baumann |
5048515 |
September 1991 |
Sanso |
5052400 |
October 1991 |
Dietz |
5060514 |
October 1991 |
Ayisworth |
5071453 |
December 1991 |
Hradek et al. |
5074298 |
December 1991 |
Arnoth |
5074299 |
December 1991 |
Dietz |
5092326 |
March 1992 |
Winn et al. |
5099837 |
March 1992 |
Russel, Sr. et al. |
5116088 |
May 1992 |
Bird |
5144945 |
September 1992 |
Nishino et al. |
5165397 |
November 1992 |
Arp |
5183037 |
February 1993 |
Dearman |
5195874 |
March 1993 |
Odagiri |
5199423 |
April 1993 |
Harral et al. |
5199424 |
April 1993 |
Sullivan et al. |
5211171 |
May 1993 |
Choromokos |
5241955 |
September 1993 |
Dearman et al. |
5245995 |
September 1993 |
Sullivan et al. |
5259373 |
November 1993 |
Gruenke et al. |
5315988 |
May 1994 |
Clarke et al. |
5331995 |
July 1994 |
Westfall et al. |
5354361 |
October 1994 |
Coffield |
5360000 |
November 1994 |
Carter |
5368022 |
November 1994 |
Wagner |
5370112 |
December 1994 |
Perkins |
5386824 |
February 1995 |
Nelepka |
5398676 |
March 1995 |
Press et al. |
5411059 |
May 1995 |
Sever et al. |
5413096 |
May 1995 |
Hart |
5415161 |
May 1995 |
Ryder |
5438980 |
August 1995 |
Phillips |
5443062 |
August 1995 |
Hayes |
5474595 |
December 1995 |
McCombs |
5478046 |
December 1995 |
Szabo |
5485983 |
January 1996 |
Voege et al. |
5495848 |
March 1996 |
Aylsworth et al. |
5503146 |
April 1996 |
Froehlich et al. |
5522382 |
June 1996 |
Sullivan et al. |
5528976 |
June 1996 |
Ikeda et al. |
5531679 |
July 1996 |
Schulman et al. |
5531807 |
July 1996 |
McCombs |
5544858 |
August 1996 |
Rogers et al. |
5546985 |
August 1996 |
Bartholomew |
5549106 |
August 1996 |
Gruenke et al. |
5551419 |
September 1996 |
Froehlich et al. |
5558086 |
September 1996 |
Smith et al. |
5570682 |
November 1996 |
Johnson |
5596984 |
January 1997 |
O'Mahony et al. |
5603315 |
February 1997 |
Sasso, Jr. |
5632298 |
May 1997 |
Artinian |
5651361 |
July 1997 |
Dearman et al. |
5666945 |
September 1997 |
Davenport |
5685297 |
November 1997 |
Schuler |
5701889 |
December 1997 |
Danon |
5702238 |
December 1997 |
Simmons et al. |
5724963 |
March 1998 |
Seeley |
5752544 |
May 1998 |
Yves |
5755224 |
May 1998 |
Good et al. |
5785050 |
July 1998 |
Davidson et al. |
5813314 |
September 1998 |
Michiyuki et al. |
5858062 |
January 1999 |
McCulloh et al. |
5881725 |
March 1999 |
Hoffman et al. |
5899223 |
May 1999 |
Shuman, Jr. |
5917135 |
June 1999 |
Michaels et al. |
5924419 |
July 1999 |
Kotliar |
5928189 |
July 1999 |
Phillips et al. |
5968236 |
October 1999 |
Bassine |
5988165 |
November 1999 |
Richey, II et al. |
5997611 |
December 1999 |
Doong et al. |
6009900 |
January 2000 |
Elgert et al. |
6016803 |
January 2000 |
Volberg et al. |
6053056 |
April 2000 |
Zaiser et al. |
6079313 |
June 2000 |
Wolcott et al. |
6082359 |
July 2000 |
Preston |
6082396 |
July 2000 |
Davidson |
6089259 |
July 2000 |
Shuman, Jr. |
6116242 |
September 2000 |
Frye et al. |
6137417 |
October 2000 |
McDermott |
6152134 |
November 2000 |
Webber et al. |
6155258 |
December 2000 |
Voege |
6158457 |
December 2000 |
Byrd et al. |
6189531 |
February 2001 |
Tatarek |
6240943 |
June 2001 |
Smith |
6273130 |
August 2001 |
Cossins |
6286543 |
September 2001 |
Davidson |
6302107 |
October 2001 |
Richey, II et al. |
6321779 |
November 2001 |
Miller et al. |
6325097 |
December 2001 |
Gallant et al. |
6354564 |
March 2002 |
Van Scyoc et al. |
6364161 |
April 2002 |
Pryor |
6382589 |
May 2002 |
Edstrom, Sr. et al. |
6386235 |
May 2002 |
McCulloh et al. |
6393802 |
May 2002 |
Bowser et al. |
6394088 |
May 2002 |
Frye et al. |
6401714 |
June 2002 |
Giorgini |
6401740 |
June 2002 |
Zaiser |
6446630 |
September 2002 |
Todd, Jr. |
6467325 |
October 2002 |
Zaiser |
6478857 |
November 2002 |
Czabala |
6484720 |
November 2002 |
Marquard, II et al. |
6484721 |
November 2002 |
Bliss |
6510747 |
January 2003 |
Zaiser |
6532958 |
March 2003 |
Buan et al. |
6568391 |
May 2003 |
Tatarek et al. |
6575430 |
June 2003 |
Smith, III |
6581592 |
June 2003 |
Bathe et al. |
6612307 |
September 2003 |
Byrd |
6647982 |
November 2003 |
Zaiser et al. |
6691702 |
February 2004 |
Appel et al. |
6712087 |
March 2004 |
Hill et al. |
6749405 |
June 2004 |
Bassine |
6752152 |
June 2004 |
Gale et al. |
6764534 |
July 2004 |
McCombs |
6772762 |
August 2004 |
Piesinger |
6792846 |
September 2004 |
Barrett |
6805122 |
October 2004 |
Richey, II et al. |
6827084 |
December 2004 |
Grubb, Jr. |
6837245 |
January 2005 |
Matheny et al. |
6889710 |
May 2005 |
Wagner |
6889726 |
May 2005 |
Richey, II et al. |
6923180 |
August 2005 |
Richey, II et al. |
6949133 |
September 2005 |
McCombs et al. |
6986350 |
January 2006 |
Zaiser et al. |
7066985 |
June 2006 |
Deane et al. |
7073773 |
July 2006 |
Nuttall et al. |
7204249 |
April 2007 |
Richey, II et al. |
7294170 |
November 2007 |
Richey, II et al. |
7448594 |
November 2008 |
Voege et al. |
2002/0073998 |
June 2002 |
Byrd |
2002/0144683 |
October 2002 |
Gurnee et al. |
2003/0026710 |
February 2003 |
Nishikawa et al. |
2003/0075179 |
April 2003 |
Gale et al. |
2003/0150455 |
August 2003 |
Bliss et al. |
2005/0045040 |
March 2005 |
McCombs |
2005/0103341 |
May 2005 |
Deane et al. |
2005/0161043 |
July 2005 |
Whitley et al. |
2005/0178387 |
August 2005 |
Gurnee et al. |
|
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27 11 664 |
|
Oct 1977 |
|
DE |
|
3329954 |
|
Mar 1985 |
|
DE |
|
43 12 510 |
|
Oct 1993 |
|
DE |
|
0266051 |
|
May 1988 |
|
EP |
|
0 217 573 |
|
Apr 1992 |
|
EP |
|
0 283 141 |
|
Sep 1995 |
|
EP |
|
1 028 770 |
|
Aug 2000 |
|
EP |
|
497113 |
|
Dec 1938 |
|
GB |
|
2 170 409 |
|
Aug 1986 |
|
GB |
|
01-274771 |
|
Nov 1989 |
|
JP |
|
3-90164 |
|
Apr 1991 |
|
JP |
|
5-92038 |
|
Apr 1993 |
|
JP |
|
6-197967 |
|
Jul 1994 |
|
JP |
|
6-205833 |
|
Jul 1994 |
|
JP |
|
6-315533 |
|
Nov 1994 |
|
JP |
|
8-19615 |
|
Jan 1996 |
|
JP |
|
8-173539 |
|
Jul 1996 |
|
JP |
|
00-176018 |
|
Jun 2000 |
|
JP |
|
00-192878 |
|
Jul 2000 |
|
JP |
|
2000192878 |
|
Jul 2000 |
|
JP |
|
01-182653 |
|
Jul 2001 |
|
JP |
|
WO 87/02590 |
|
May 1987 |
|
WO |
|
WO 87/06142 |
|
Oct 1987 |
|
WO |
|
WO 95/23624 |
|
Sep 1995 |
|
WO |
|
WO 96/40336 |
|
Dec 1996 |
|
WO |
|
WO 97/06844 |
|
Feb 1997 |
|
WO |
|
WO 98/19282 |
|
May 1998 |
|
WO |
|
WO 99/22795 |
|
May 1999 |
|
WO |
|
WO 01/45433 |
|
Jun 2001 |
|
WO |
|
WO 02/29164 |
|
Apr 2002 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
Auerbach, et al., "A New Oxygen Cannula System Using
Intermittent-Demand Nasal Flow," Chest, 74:1, pp. 39 44, Jul. 1978.
cited by other .
Brown, C. C., Reservoir nasal cannula prevents oxygen desaturation
in copd patients during eating, American Review of Respiratory
Disease 137 (4 Part 2), p. 157, 1988, U.S., (bibliographic
information). cited by other .
Carter, R., Evaluation of the pendant oxygen-conserving nasal
cannula during exercise, Chest 89 (6), Jun. 1986, p. 806-10, U.S.,
(abstract only). cited by other .
Claiborne, R. A., Evaluation of the use of an oxygen conservation
device in long-term oxygen therapy, American Review of Respiratory
Disease 136 (5), p. 1095-8, U.S., (abstract only). cited by other
.
Esco2rt Pulse--Conserving Regulator literature, The Respiratory
Group, 2002 (2 pgs.). cited by other .
Evans, T.W., An oxygen conservation device in patients with
cor-pulmonale--an unsustained effect, Thorax, V42, N3, p. 216,
1987, England, (bibliographic information). cited by other .
Fitzgerald, D. J., Variance of oxygen with nasal cannula and
transtracheal delivery systems, American Review of Respiratory
Disease, V147, N4, Apr. 1993, p. A976, (bibliographic information).
cited by other .
Gould, G. A., Comparison of two oxygen conserving nasal prong
systems and the effects of nose and mouth breathing, Thorax 41
(10), Oct. 1986, p. 808-9, England, (bibliographic information).
cited by other .
Gould, G.A., Clinical assessment of oxygen conserving devices in
chronic bronchitis and emphysema, Thorax 40 (11), Nov. 1985, p.
820-4, England, (abstract only). cited by other .
Haber, H., Comparison of an oxygen-conserving module `Oxytron` and
the reservoir cannula `Oxymizer Pendant` with continuous oxygen
administration via nasal prong in hypoxemic patients, Wiener
Klinische Wochenschrift 102, May 25, 1990. cited by other .
Hayhurst. M. D., A new low-flow oxygen-conserving cannula, South
African Medical Journal 71 (4), Feb. 21, 1987, p. 251-2, South
Africa, (abstract only). cited by other .
Hoffman, L. A., Nasal cannula and transtracheal oxygen delivery. A
comparison of patient response after 6 months of each technique,
American Review of Respiratory Disease 145 (4 Pt 1), Apr. 1992, p.
827 31, U.S., (abstract only). cited by other .
Hoffman, L. A., Novel strategies for delivering oxygen: reservoir
cannula, demand flow, and transtracheal oxygen administration,
Respiratory Care, Apr. 1994, 39 (4), p. 363-77, discussion 386-9,
U.S., (abstract only). cited by other .
Inovo Oxygen Regulators, www.life-assist.com/inovo.html, Apr. 20,
2004 (4 pgs.). cited by other .
Ishihara, T., Oxygen-conserving delivery system, Nihon Kyobu
Shikkan Gakkai zasshi, 30 Suppl., Dec. 1992, p. 156-63, Japan,
(abstract only). cited by other .
Kerby, G. R., Clinical efficacy and cost benefit of pulse flow
oxygen in hospitalized patients, Chest 97 of (2), Feb. 1990, p.
369-72, U.S., (abstract only). cited by other .
Krause-Michel, B., Improvement of compliance in long-term oxygen
therapy by eyeglasses with integrated single nasal cannula for
oxygen supply, Atemwegs-und Lungenkrankheiten 21 (10), p. 516-517,
1995, Germany, (abstract only). cited by other .
Leger, P., Oxygen-conserving devices for delivery of long-term
oxygen therapy, Agressologie--Revue Internationale De
Physio-Biologie Et De Pharmacologie Appliquees Aux Effets De
L'agression 29 (8), Sep. 1988, p. 603-6, France, (bibliographic
information). cited by other .
Leger, P., Simultaneous use of a pulsed dose demand valve with a
transtracheal catheter an optimal oxygen saving for long-term
oxygen therapy, American Review of Respiratory Disease 133 (4
Suppl), 1986, p. A350, U.S., (bibliographic information). cited by
other .
Lin Cai Yuan, Clinical evaluation of pulse-dose and continuous-flow
oxygen delivery, Respiratory Care, 1995, 40/8 p. 811-814, U.S.,
(abstract only). cited by other .
Momoeda, K., Oropharyngeal oxygen concentration using twin nasal
oxygen cannulae with compression--a comparison with conventional
devices, Anesthesiology (Hagerstown)85 (3A), p. A447, 1996,
(bibliographic information). cited by other .
Monasterio, C., The evaluation of the oxygen-conserving valve
during exertion, Medicina Clinica 98 (4), p. 128-30, Feb. 1, 1992,
Spain, (abstract only). cited by other .
Moore-Gillon, J., Oxygen-conserving delivery devices, Respiratory
Medicine 83 (4), Jul. 1989, p. 263-4, England, (bibliographic
information). cited by other .
Moore-Gillon, J.C., An oxygen conserving nasal cannula, Thorax 40
(11), Nov. 1985, p. 817-9, England, (abstract only). cited by other
.
Pesce, L., Usefulness of a new oxygen conserving delivery device in
10 patients affected by respiratory failure, Giornale Italiano
delle Malattie del Torace 40 (6), 1986, p. 427-429, Italy,
(abstract only). cited by other .
Precision Medical--Chrome Body Series Flowmeters, .COPYRGT. 2002
Precision Medical, Inc. (1 pg.). cited by other .
Precision Medical--Dial Flowmeters, .COPYRGT. 2002 Precision
Medical, Inc. (1 pg.). cited by other .
Precision Medical--Easy Dial Regulators, .COPYRGT. 2002 Precision
Medical, Inc. (1 pg.). cited by other .
Precision Medical--Easy Gauge Regulators, .COPYRGT. 2002 Precision
Medical, Inc. (1 pg.). cited by other .
Precision Medical--Easy Meter Regulators, .COPYRGT. 2002 Precision
Medical, Inc. (1 pg.). cited by other .
Precision Medical--Easy Pulse Oxygen Conserver Specifications,
.COPYRGT. 2002 Precision Medical, Inc., 1 pg. cited by other .
Precision Medical--Easy Pulse Oxygen Conserving Regulator,
.COPYRGT. 2002 Precision Medical, Inc. (1 pg.). cited by other
.
Precision Medical--Easy Regulators, .COPYRGT. 2002 Precision
Medical, Inc. (1 pg.). cited by other .
Precision Medical--Pediatric Flowmeters, .COPYRGT. 2002 Precision
Medical, Inc. (1 pg.). cited by other .
Precision Medical--Select Flowmeters, .COPYRGT. 2002 Precision
Medical, Inc. (1 pg.). cited by other .
Romberger, D. J., Comparison of continuous and pulse flow oxygen in
hospital patients, American Review of Respiratory Disease 137 (4
Part 2), p. 158, 1988, U.S., (bibliographic information). cited by
other .
Rousseau, M., Oxygen delivery via nasal cannula how much oxygen are
we actually delivering, Anesthesiology (Hagerstown) 71 (3A), 1989,
p. A354, (bibliographic information). cited by other .
Sabre Medical Elite Datasheet, Nov. 30, 2004 (1 pg.). cited by
other .
Sabre Medical Elite description,
http://www.gceuk.com/saber/domicillary.sub.--products/elite.html,
Oct. 24, 2005 (1 pg.). cited by other .
Sabre Medical Elite QF Datasheet, Nov. 30, 2004 (1 pg.). cited by
other .
Sabre Medical Integra Datasheet, Nov. 30, 2004 (1 pg.). cited by
other .
Sabre Medical Portaflow description,
http://www.gceuk.com/saber/domicillary.sub.--products/portaflow.html,
Oct. 24, 2005 (1 pg.). cited by other .
Sabre Medical, Medical Gas Regulators, Nov. 30, 2004 (2 pgs.).
cited by other .
Senn, S., Efficacy of a pulsed oxygen delivery device during
exercise in patients with chronic respiratory disease, Chest 96
(3), Sep. 1989, p. 467-72, ISSN 0012-3692, U.S., (abstract only).
cited by other .
Shigeoka, J.W., The current status of oxygen-conserving devices,
Respiratory Care 30/10, 1985, 833-836, U.S., (bibliographic
information). cited by other .
Soffer, M., Conservation of oxygen supply using a reservoir nasal
cannula in hypoxemic patients at rest and during exercise, Chest 88
(5), Nov. 1985, p. 663-8, U.S., (abstract only). cited by other
.
Strezelecki, L. R., Comparison of demand oxygen controlled and
continuous flow oxygen in an intubated model, Chest 94 (1 Suppl),
p. 91S, 1988, U.S., (bibliographic information). cited by other
.
Taube, J.C., Criteria for an adaptive fractional inspired oxygen
controller, Computer-Based Medical Systems (Cat. No. 88CH2606-2),
IEEE Comput. Soc. Press, Washington, DC, 1988, p. 129-32, (abstract
only). cited by other .
Tehrani, F. T., A feedback controller for supplemental oxygen
treatment of newborn infants: a simulation study, Medical
Engineering & Physics, Jul. 1994, 16 (4), p. 329-33, England,
(abstract only). cited by other .
Tiep, B., Oxygen conservation and oxygen-conserving devices in
chronic lung disease. A review, Chest 92 (2), Aug. 1987, p. 263-72,
U.S., (abstract only). cited by other .
Tiep, B., Oxygen conserving devices in obstructive and restrictive
disease, Atemwegs-und Lungenkrankheiten 18/Suppl. 2, p. S142-S149,
1992, Germany, (bibliographic information). cited by other .
Tiep, B., Portable oxygen therapy with oxygen conserving devices
and methodologies, IRCCS and Istituto di Clinica Tisiologica e
Malattie Apparato Respiratorio, Univer, Jan. 1995, 50, p. 51-7,
Italy, (abstract only). cited by other .
Tiep, B.L., A new oxygen saving nasal cannula, American Review of
Respiratory Disease 127 (4 Part 2), 1983, p. 86, U.S.,
(bibliographic information). cited by other .
Tiep, B.L., A new pendant storage oxygen-conserving nasal cannula,
Chest 87 (3), Mar. 1985, p. 381-3, U.S., (abstract only). cited by
other .
Tiep, B.L., Evaluation of a low-flow oxygen-conserving nasal
cannula, American Review of Respiratory Disease 130 (3), Sep. 1984,
p. 500-2, U.S., (abstract only). cited by other .
Torregroza, M., Oxygen application with the pulse air oxygen
delivery system compact station, European Respiratory Journal
Supplement 9 (23), 1996, p. 443S, Stockholm, Sweden, (bibliographic
information). cited by other .
Tremper, J. C., Reliability of the oxymatic electronic oxygen
conserver, American Review of Respiratory Disease 135 (4 Part 2),
1987, p. A194, U.S., (bibliographic information). cited by other
.
U.S. Statutory Invention Registration No. H1282, published Feb. 1,
1994, to Joyce et al. (10 pgs.). cited by other .
Vernay Laboratories--Umbrella Check Valves,
www.vernay.com/products/umbrella.htm, Dec. 23, 2003 (5 pgs.). cited
by other .
Vernay.RTM. Umbrella Check Valves brochure, Vernay Laboratories,
Inc., May 9, 2003 (4 pgs.). cited by other .
Vilsvik, J., Oxygen-conserving nasal cannula: Oxymizer pendant,
Tidsskrift for den Norske Laegeforening 112 (29), p. 3659-3662,
1992, Norway, (abstract only). cited by other .
Vernay Laboratories, Inc.--A custom molded rubber products
manufacturer with worldwide locations,
www.vernay.com/products/diaphram.htm, Dec. 23, 2003 (3 pgs.). cited
by other .
Yaeger, E. S., Oxygen therapy using pulse and continuous flow with
a transtracheal catheter and a nasal cannula, Chest, Sep. 1994, 106
(3), p. 854-60, U.S., (abstract only). cited by other .
Zwischenberger, J. B., Total respiratory support with single
cannula venovenous ECMO: double lumen continuous flow vs. single
lumen tidal flow, Transactions--American Society for Artificial
Internal Organs 31, 1985, p. 610-5, U.S., (bibliographic
information). cited by other .
Chad Therapeutics, "The Total O.sub.2.RTM. Delivery System," at
least as early as Mar. 19, 2007 (1 pg.). cited by other .
Invacare.RTM. Oxygen Products brochure, 2005 (2 pgs.). cited by
other .
Invacare.RTM. Venture HomeFill II M6 Cylinder Assembly product
description, 2006 (2 pgs.). cited by other .
Invacare.RTM. Venture HomeFill II M9 Cylinder Assembly product
description, 2006 (2 pgs.). cited by other .
Invacare.RTM. Venture HomeFill II Oxygen Compressor, Product ID:
IOH200 product description, 2006 (2 pgs.). cited by other .
Invacare.RTM. Venture HomeFill II Ambulatory Package With Patient
Convenience Pack, Product ID: IOH200PC product description, 2006 (2
pgs.). cited by other .
Invacare.RTM. Venture HomeFill II Ambulatory Package With Patient
Convenience Pack, Product ID: IOH200PC4 product description, 2006
(2 pgs). cited by other .
Invacare.RTM. Venture HomeFill II Ambulatory Package With Patient
Convenience Pack, Product ID: IOH200PC9 product description, 2006 (
2 pgs.). cited by other .
Invacare.RTM. HomeFill.TM. II Convenience Pack advertising, 2004 (
2 pgs.). cited by other .
Invacare.RTM. Patient Convenience Pack--Cylinder, Product ID:
HF2PCL4 product description, 2006 (2 pgs.). cited by other.
|
Primary Examiner: Ostrup; Clinton T
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Faegre Baker Daniels LLP
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/725,392, filed Mar. 19, 2007, titled "CONSERVER" which
claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/784,216, filed Mar. 20, 2006, titled "MULTI-STAGE COMPRESSOR AND
OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR" and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
No. 60/783,243, filed Mar. 17, 2006, titled "ELECTRONIC CONSERVER"
and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/724,350, filed Mar. 15, 2007, titled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
REGULATING FLUID FLOW OR CONSERVING FLUID FLOW", which claims the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/782,736,
filed Mar. 15, 2006, titled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REGULATING
FLUID FLOW OR CONSERVING FLUID FLOW and is a continuation-in-part
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/069,084, filed Feb. 28, 2005
which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Ser. No. 60/548,058, filed Feb. 26, 2004, titled FLOW REGULATOR;
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/606,288, filed Sep.
1, 2004, titled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REGULATING FLUID FLOW OR
CONSERVING FLUID FLOW; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
No. 60/620,890, titled FLUID REGULATOR, filed Oct. 21, 2004, the
disclosures each of which are expressly incorporated by reference
herein.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An apparatus in fluid communication with a first source of
pressurized fluid and a second source of pressurized fluid, the
apparatus comprising: a pressure reduction section; a unitary body
member having a first portion with a first recess sized to receive
the pressure reduction section and a second portion extending from
the first portion, the second portion including a first threaded
surface, the unitary body member having a first fluid conduit which
is in fluid communication with an exterior of the second portion of
the unitary body member at a fluid inlet and with the first recess
in the first portion of the unitary body member at a fluid outlet;
a first coupler having a cylindrical body with a second threaded
surface on an exterior of the cylindrical body of the coupler and a
third threaded surface provided in a second recess of the coupler,
the third threaded surface cooperating with the first threaded
surface of the second portion of the unitary body member to couple
the first coupler to the unitary body member, the first coupler
having a second fluid conduit which is in fluid communication with
the first fluid conduit of the second portion of the unitary body
member when the first coupler is coupled to the unitary body
member, wherein the first source of pressurized fluid is coupled to
the first coupler through the second threaded surface on the
exterior of the cylindrical body of the first coupler; and a second
coupler coupled to the first portion of the unitary body member at
a location spaced apart from the first coupler, the second coupler
being in fluid communication with a third fluid conduit of the
unitary body member, the third fluid conduit of the unitary body
member being in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit of
the unitary body member at a first location which is prior to fluid
outlet of the first fluid conduit, wherein the second source of
pressurized fluid is coupled to the second coupler.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the
unitary body extends beyond an axial end surface of the first
portion of the unitary body.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first coupler includes a
flange which is received in a third recess of the first portion of
the unitary body, a top surface of the flange being flush with the
axial end surface of the first portion of the unitary body.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a seal positioned
between the flange of the first coupler and the unitary body.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressure reduction section
includes a housing having an open end and a fluid outlet, a piston,
a base member, and a spring, the piston, the base member, and the
spring being received into the open end of the housing and
cooperating to communicate fluid from the first recess of the
unitary body to the fluid outlet of the housing.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a flow selector
having a plurality of fluid conduits which correspond to a
plurality of flow rates, the flow selector being supported by the
unitary body and movable relative to the unitary body to position
one of the plurality of fluid conduits in fluid communication with
the fluid outlet.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a housing supports an axle,
the flow selector being rotatably coupled to the axle.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the axle includes a fluid
conduit which is in fluid communication with an interior of the
housing.
9. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of
additional body members coupled to the unitary body, the plurality
of additional body parts supporting a conserver which regulates the
flow of fluid from the fluid outlet to a cannula coupled to at
least one of the additional body members.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the unitary body is made from
one of aluminum, composite, and polymeric materials and the second
coupler is made from one of brass, copper, and titanium.
11. An apparatus in fluid communication with a first source of
pressurized fluid and a second source of pressurized fluid, the
apparatus comprising: a pressure reduction section having a housing
having an open end and a fluid outlet, a piston, a base member, and
a spring, the piston, the base member, and the spring being
received into the open end of the housing; a unitary body member
having a first portion with a first recess sized to receive the
pressure reduction section and a second portion extending from the
first portion, the second portion including a first threaded
surface, the unitary body member having a first fluid conduit which
is in fluid communication with an exterior of the second portion of
the unitary body member at a fluid inlet and with the first recess
in the first portion of the unitary body member at a fluid outlet,
the piston, the base member, and the spring of the pressure
reduction section cooperate to communicate fluid from a first
recess of the unitary body to the fluid outlet of the housing of
the pressure reduction section; and a first coupler having a
cylindrical body with a second threaded surface on an exterior of
the cylindrical body of the coupler and a third threaded surface
provided in a second recess of the coupler, the third threaded
surface cooperating with the first threaded surface of the second
portion of the unitary body member to couple the first coupler to
the unitary body member, the first coupler having a second fluid
conduit which is in fluid communication with the first fluid
conduit of the second portion of the unitary body member when the
first coupler is coupled to the unitary body member, wherein the
first source of pressurized fluid is coupled to the first coupler
through the second threaded surface on the exterior of the
cylindrical body of the first coupler.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a flow selector
having a plurality of fluid conduits which correspond to a
plurality of flow rates, the flow selector being supported by the
unitary body and movable relative to the unitary body to position
one of the plurality of fluid conduits in fluid communication with
the fluid outlet of the housing.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the housing supports an
axle, the flow selector being rotatably coupled to the axle.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the axle includes a fluid
conduit which is in fluid communication with an interior of the
housing.
15. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of
additional body members coupled to the unitary body, the plurality
of additional body parts supporting a conserver which regulates the
flow of fluid from the fluid outlet of the housing to a cannula
coupled to at least one of the additional body members.
16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the unitary body is made
from one of aluminum, composite, and polymeric materials and the
first coupler is made from one of brass, copper, and titanium.
17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second portion of the
unitary body extends beyond an axial end surface of the first
portion of the unitary body.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first coupler includes a
flange which is received in a third recess of the first portion of
the unitary body, a top surface of the flange being flush with the
axial end surface of the first portion of the unitary body.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a seal positioned
between the flange of the first coupler and the unitary body.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure relates to devices for supplying medical
gas, such as oxygen, including devices for attachment to portable
tanks of medical gas, regulating the flow of the medical gas,
providing a calibrated flow of the fluid in at least either a
continuous mode of operation or in an intermittent mode of
operation, devices for filling portable tanks of medical gas, and
fluid compressors.
Patients with lung diseases frequently need oxygen delivered to
their lungs as part of their therapy. In certain known therapies, a
continuous flow of oxygen is supplied to a patient. However, a
continuous flow is not required at all times, such as when the
patient is exhaling. It is also known to provide oxygen conserving
devices that supply oxygen to the patient in an intermittent
fashion.
It is known to provide patients with a conserving device attached
to a portable storage tank of oxygen to increase patient mobility.
These devices may be further connected to an oxygen concentrator
device or fill device. Exemplary oxygen concentrator or fill
devices include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,165; U.S.
Pat. No. 6,152,134; U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,107; U.S. Pat. No.
6,889,726; U.S. Pat. No. 6,805,122; U.S. Pat. No. 6,923,180; the
disclosures each of which are expressly incorporated by reference
herein. Further exemplary oxygen concentrator devices or fill
devices include the DeVilbiss iFill brand personal oxygen station
available from Sunrise Medical located at 100 DeVilbiss Drive,
Somerset, Pa. 15501, the Total O2 brand delivery system available
from Chad Therapeutics, Inc. located at 21622 Plummer Street,
Chatsworth, Calif. 91311, and the HomeFill II oxygen filling system
available from Invacare Corporation located in Elyria, Ohio.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a pneumatic
conserver is provided.
In a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a
conserver which receives a fluid from a source of pressurized fluid
and provides fluid to a patient through a single lumen cannula is
provided. The conserver comprising: a body having a fluid input, a
fluid output adapted to be coupled to a cannula, and a fluid
passage configured to connect the input to the output; a pressure
reduction section disposed within the body and in fluid
communication with the fluid passage, at least one user input
supported by the body; and a controller positioned downstream of
the pressure reduction section. The pressure reduction section
receiving fluid from the fluid inlet of the body at a first
pressure and providing fluid to a portion of the fluid passage
positioned downstream of the pressure reduction section. The
controller having a first configuration to provide a continuous
flow of fluid to the fluid outlet of the body in a continuous mode
and to provide an intermittent flow of fluid to the fluid outlet of
the body in an intermittent mode, the intermittent mode and the
continuous mode being selectable by the at least one user input.
The conserver further comprising a coupler coupled to the body. The
coupler having a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the
fluid inlet of the body. The coupler being adapted to couple to a
source of pressurized fluid, wherein the coupler is made from a
first material selected from the group of a brass based material, a
copper based material, and a titanium based material and the body
is made from a second material selected from the group of an
aluminum based material, a composite based material, and a
polymeric based material.
Additional, features of the invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed
description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode
of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an exemplary flow regulator coupled
to a source of pressurized fluid and an application device, the
flow regulator having a flow selector.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the flow regulator of FIG. 1 coupled
to a source of pressurized fluid, illustratively a source of
pressurized oxygen, and a fluid conserver, illustratively an oxygen
conserver.
FIG. 3A is a back view of an exemplary flow selector including a
flow restrictor and a knob.
FIG. 3B is a front view of the flow restrictor and knob of the flow
selector of FIG. 3A.
FIG. 4A is a sectional view of the exemplary flow selector of FIG.
3A and an associated axle.
FIG. 4B is a sectional view of the flow selector of FIG. 3A and an
exemplary associated axle having a central passage.
FIG. 5A is a back view of another exemplary flow selector showing
an outer knob portion and an inner flow restrictor having a
plurality of flow passages, each one of the fluid passages being
configured to provide a calibrated amount of fluid flow and showing
a plurality of depressions for receiving a detent member (such as
the detent member of FIG. 19) and a central passage for receiving
an axle (such as the axle of FIG. 19).
FIG. 5B is a sectional view of the flow selector of FIG. 5A showing
a first one of a plurality of flow calibrators positioned within
openings in a side wall of the outer knob portion.
FIG. 5C is a front view of the flow selector of FIG. 5A.
FIG. 5D is a diagrammatic representation of a second exemplary
configuration of the fluid passages of the inner flow selector, the
fluid passages having a first portion offset from a second
portion.
FIG. 6A is a sectional view of an exemplary flow regulator
incorporating the flow selector of FIG. 3A and an exemplary fluid
inlet retainer and pressure reduction section, the flow regulator
being coupled to a source of pressurized fluid and an application
device.
FIG. 6B is a sectional view of the flow regulator of FIG. 6A
coupled to an oxygen conserver.
FIG. 6C is an enlarged view of the exemplary fluid inlet retainer
and pressure reduction section of FIG. 6A.
FIG. 7 is an isometric unassembled view of a vent mechanism, a
biasing member, a piston, and a housing of the pressure reduction
section of FIG. 6A.
FIG. 8 is an isometric assembled view of the vent mechanism,
biasing member, and piston of the pressure reduction section of
FIG. 6A.
FIG. 9 is an end view of the flow regulator of FIG. 6A including
the flow selector of FIG. 5A and an axle with a central fluid
passage.
FIG. 10 is an isometric view of an exemplary conserving device
including an exemplary flow regulator or regulating portion coupled
with an exemplary fluid conserver application device or conserving
portion, the flow regulator including a body portion and the fluid
conserver application device including a first body portion, a
second body portion, and a third body portion.
FIG. 11 is a side isometric view of the conserving device of FIG.
10 showing a thumb wheel for selecting a predetermined flow rate
and a pressure gauge.
FIG. 12 is a top view of the conserving device of FIG. 10.
FIG. 12A is a top view of the assembly of FIG. 12 with various
features shown.
FIG. 12B is a cross section of FIG. 12A taken along lines 12B-12B
in FIG. 12A.
FIG. 12C is a cross section of FIG. 12A taken along lines 12C-12C
in FIG. 12A.
FIG. 12D is a cross section of FIG. 12A taken along lines 12D-12D
in FIG. 12A.
FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the conserving device of FIG. 10
illustrating the various components of the conserving device of
FIG. 10.
FIG. 14 is a detail view of the sectional view of FIG. 13.
FIG. 14A is a detail view of the sectional view of FIG. 13
illustrates the conserving device of FIG. 14 in a start-up
orientation and configured for operation in the intermittent mode
of operation.
FIG. 14B illustrates the movement of the demand piston in the fluid
conserving device to prevent the flow of fluid to the nipple and
hence to the cannula due to a build-up of fluid behind the demand
piston.
FIG. 14C illustrates the movement of the diaphragm in response to a
trigger event, illustratively a patient inhalation, thereby
relieving the build-up of fluid behind the demand piston resulting
in the subsequent movement of the demand piston to permit the flow
of fluid to the nipple and hence to the cannula.
FIG. 14D illustrates the orientation of the components of the fluid
conserving device when the fluid conserving device is in the
continuous mode of operation.
FIG. 15 shows exemplary pulses of fluid being provided by the
conserving device of FIG. 10 relative to an exemplary breathing
cycle of a patient connected to a single lumen cannula.
FIG. 15A is a comparison of the fluid pulses of three commercial
conservers.
FIG. 16 is an isometric view of the body portion of the flow
regulator of FIG. 10, showing an internal cavity and showing an
exemplary pressure reduction assembly which is to be placed in the
internal cavity of the first body portion of the flow regulator of
FIG. 10, the pressure reduction assembly being held in the internal
cavity with a retainer.
FIG. 17A is a first exemplary side view of the body portion of the
flow regulator of FIG. 10.
FIG. 17B is a second exemplary side view of the body portion of the
flow regulator of FIG. 10.
FIG. 17C is a third exemplary side view of the body portion of the
flow regulator of FIG. 10.
FIG. 17D is a fourth exemplary side view of the body portion of the
flow regulator of FIG. 10.
FIG. 18 is an isometric view of the pressure reduction section of
FIG. 16 assembled to the body portion of the flow regulator.
FIG. 19 is an exploded isometric view of the body portion of the
flow regulator of FIG. 17 with the pressure reduction assembly of
FIG. 16 assembled thereto and a detent, a biasing member, the flow
selector of FIG. 5A, a retainer for the flow selector and
associated seal.
FIG. 20 is an isometric view of the body portion of the flow
regulator of FIG. 10 having the pressure reduction assembly of FIG.
16 and the flow selector of FIG. 5A assembled.
FIG. 21A is a bottom view of a first body portion of the fluid
conserver application device generally showing a nipple adapted for
connection to a single lumen cannula and a needle valve exploded
therefrom, the needle valve being positionable with a recess of the
first body portion.
FIG. 21B is a top view of the first body portion of FIG. 21A.
FIG. 22 is a generally isometric view of the first body portion of
the fluid conserver application device assembled onto the assembly
of FIG. 20.
FIG. 23A is an exploded assembly view of the second body portion of
FIG. 22, showing a first mode selector member, a second mode
selector member, a demand piston and a biasing member, the demand
piston generally used in the controlling of the delivery of pulses
of fluid from the fluid conserver application device to a cannula
and hence to the patient.
FIG. 23B is a side view of the demand piston and biasing member of
FIG. 23A.
FIG. 24 is an assembled view illustrating the first mode selector
member, the second mode selector member, the demand piston, and the
biasing member assembled to the assembly of FIG. 22.
FIG. 25A is a front view of an exemplary second body portion of the
fluid conserver application device.
FIG. 25B is a back view of the second body portion of FIG. 25A.
FIG. 25C is a sectional view of the second body portion generally
taken along lines 25C-25C in FIG. 25B.
FIG. 25D is a sectional view of the second body portion of FIG. 25A
generally taken along lines 25D-25D in FIG. 25B.
FIG. 26 is an isometric view showing the second body portion of the
fluid conserver application device assembled with the assembly of
FIG. 24.
FIG. 27 is a bottom view of the bottom of the third body portion of
the fluid conserver application device of FIG. 10 with the
diaphragm of FIG. 28 assembled thereto.
FIG. 27A is a sectional view of the assembly of the third body
portion and diaphragm of FIG. 27 taken along lines 27A-27A of FIG.
27.
FIG. 28 is an exploded isometric view of a diaphragm assembly
including a diaphragm and a support.
FIG. 29 is an exploded isometric view of the third body portion of
FIG. 27, the diaphragm assembly of FIG. 28, and the assembly of
FIG. 26.
FIG. 30A is a bottom isometric view of a modified third body
portion of the fluid conserver application device configured for
use with a dual lumen cannula.
FIG. 30B is a top isometric view of a dual lumen cannula third body
portion.
FIG. 31 is an exploded assembly of a modified second body portion
of the fluid conserver application device to include an interlock
member.
FIG. 32 is a bottom isometric view of the bottom side of a modified
second mode selector member of FIG. 23 configured to interact with
the interlock member of FIG. 31.
FIG. 33 is a bottom isometric view of the second body portion of
FIG. 31 with the interlock member assembled thereto.
FIG. 34 shows a modified version of the flow selector member of
FIG. 5A configured to interact with the interlock member of FIG.
31.
FIG. 35 provides a side-by-side comparison of the conserver of FIG.
10 and a further exemplary conserver;
FIG. 36 provides another view of the side-by-side comparison of the
conserver of FIG. 10 and a further exemplary conserver.
FIG. 37 is an isometric view of a first body portion of the
exemplary conserver of FIG. 35 with a pressure reduction section
assembled thereto.
FIG. 38 is the isometric view of FIG. 37 illustrating a support
provided for a flow selector.
FIG. 39 is an isometric view of an exemplary flow selector.
FIG. 40 is a bottom view of the flow selector of FIG. 39.
FIG. 41 is the isometric view of FIG. 37 with the flow selector of
FIG. 39 assembled thereto.
FIG. 42. is a representative view of a cam surface of the flow
selector of FIG. 39.
FIG. 43A is an isometric bottom view of a first body portion of the
exemplary conserver of FIG. 35.
FIG. 43B is a bottom view of the first body portion of FIG.
43A.
FIG. 44A is an isometric top view of a first body portion of the
exemplary conserver of FIG. 35.
FIG. 44B is a top view of the first body portion of FIG. 44A.
FIG. 45 is an isometric view of the first body portion of FIG. 44A
with a demand piston assembled thereto.
FIG. 46A is an isometric bottom view of a second body portion of
the exemplary conserver of FIG. 35.
FIG. 46B is a bottom view of the second body portion of FIG.
46A.
FIG. 47A is an isometric top view of a second body portion of the
exemplary conserver of FIG. 35.
FIG. 47B is a top view of the second body portion of FIG. 43A.
FIG. 48 is an isometric view of the first body portion of FIG. 43A
and a valve spaced apart.
FIG. 49 is an isometric view of the first body portion of FIG. 43A
with the valve of FIG. 48 assembled thereto.
FIG. 50 is a representative cross-section of the assembly of the
first body portion and valve of FIG. 49
FIG. 51 is a sectional representation of the exemplary conserver of
FIG. 35.
FIG. 52 is diagrammatic representation of yet a further exemplary
conserver;
FIG. 53 is a sectional representation of the conserver of FIG. 35
modified in accordance with the exemplary conserver of FIG. 52;
FIG. 54 is a top view of the conserver of FIG. 53; and
FIG. 55 is a front view of an exemplary home fill system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to FIG. 1, a flow regulator 100 is shown. Flow regulator
100 includes a body 102 having a fluid inlet passage 104 and a
fluid outlet passage 106. Fluid inlet 104 may be coupled to a
source of pressurized fluid 108. Fluid outlet 106 may provide a
continuous flow of fluid or may be coupled to an application device
110. Example application devices include fluid conserver devices,
fluid regulators, flow control valves, and tubing to transport the
fluid. In one embodiment, application device 110 is at least
partially contained within body 102. In another embodiment,
application device 110 is not contained within body 102.
FIG. 2 illustrates flow regulator 100 of FIG. 1 having fluid inlet
passage 104 coupled to a source of pressurized oxygen 109 and fluid
outlet passage 106 coupled to an oxygen fluid conserver application
device 111. In one embodiment, oxygen conserver 111 is a pneumatic
oxygen conserver. An exemplary pneumatic oxygen conserver and
variations thereof are shown in FIGS. 10-14 and 16-34. In another
embodiment, oxygen conserver 111 is an electronic oxygen
conserver.
Referring to FIG. 1, body 102 is shown as a revolved cylinder
having a central axis 112. In alternative embodiments, body 102 is
another revolved section, includes other revolved sections, is a
non-revolved section such as rectangular or square, or a
combination of revolved sections and/or non-revolved sections. In
one embodiment, body 102 is a one piece housing. In another
embodiment, body 102 includes at least two sections which are
assembled together.
Fluid inlet passage 104 and fluid outlet passage 106 are shown as
being generally cylindrical passageways which are coaxial with
central axis 112. In alternative embodiments, fluid inlet passage
104 and/or fluid outlet passage 106 may have other transverse
sectional shapes and may be comprised of more complex passageways.
For example, fluid outlet passage 106 may comprise a first portion
106a which is coaxial with central axis 112 and a second portion
106b which is perpendicular to central axis 112, first portion 106a
and second portion 106b intersecting to form fluid outlet passage
106. Further, fluid inlet passage 104 and fluid outlet passage 106
may have additional components intersecting with the respective one
of fluid inlet passage 104 and fluid outlet passage 106. For
example, a pressure reduction section, such as pressure reduction
section 170 shown in FIG. 7, to reduce the pressure of the fluid
received from source 108 or a fluid pressure gauge, such as gauge
334 shown in FIG. 6A, may be interposed in fluid inlet passage
104.
Flow regulator 100 further includes a flow selector 114. Flow
selector 114 is coupled to body 102 and includes at least one fluid
passage or opening 116 sized to permit a known or calibrated flow
rate of fluid to pass from fluid inlet passage 104 to fluid outlet
passage 106. Fluid passage 116 provides the known or calibrated
flow rate of fluid by restricting the amount of fluid that passes
from fluid inlet passage to fluid outlet passage.
As shown in FIG. 1, flow selector 114 is rotatably coupled to body
102 and is rotatable about an axis 117 in directions 118, 120. Axis
117 is generally parallel with central axis 112 and offset from
central axis 112. In the illustrated embodiment, flow selector 114
includes a plurality of openings 116, openings 116a and 116b being
shown. Preferably openings 116a and 116b are sized to permit
different known or calibrated flow rates of fluid to pass from
fluid inlet passage 104 to fluid outlet passage 106 such that by
rotating flow selector 114 in one of directions 118, 120 the
operator may select a first known or calibrated flow rate from a
plurality of known or calibrated flow rates.
In one embodiment, a surface 122 of flow selector 114 is accessible
from the exterior of body 102. Preferably, surface 122 is raised
relative to a surface 124 of body 102 such that a user can easily
locate flow selector 114 and impart a rotation to flow selector 114
in one of directions 118, 120. Even though surface 122 of flow
selector 114 is raised relative to surface 124 of body 102, flow
selector 114 is substantially within an envelope of body 102
defined by surface 124. In alternative embodiments, surface 122 is
generally flush with surface 124 (touching the envelope of body
102) or recessed relative to surface 124 (within the envelope of
body 102). In one embodiment, surface 122 is textured, such as a
knurled surface, to aid in gripping.
In one embodiment, flow selector 114 includes a detent (not shown)
that aids the user in aligning one of the plurality of openings 116
with fluid inlet passage 104 and fluid outlet passage 106. The
detent biases the flow selector 114 to a rotational position
corresponding to the alignment of one of the plurality of openings
116 with fluid inlet passage 104 and fluid outlet passage 106
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, an exemplary flow selector 200 is
shown. Flow selector 200 includes a knob 202, a flow restrictor
204, and a seal 206 (see FIG. 4A) positioned between knob 202 and
flow restrictor 204. Knob 202 includes a recess 208 sized to
receive flow restrictor 204. Recess 208 includes a key member 209
(see FIG. 3A) which is received by key slot 210 (see FIG. 3A) of
flow restrictor 204. Key member 209 and key slot 210 cooperate to
align flow restrictor 204 relative to knob 202 such that fluid
passages 214 in knob 202 are aligned with fluid passages 216 in
flow restrictor 204.
It should be appreciated that knob 202 and flow restrictor 204 may
be made as an integral component thereby obviating the need for
seal 206. However, by having flow restrictor 204 and knob 202 be
separate components, different flow restrictors 204 may be used
with knob 202 to provide greater flexibility in the range of flow
rates flow selector 200 is configured to generate.
In one embodiment, flow restrictor 204 is press fit into recess 208
of knob 202. In another embodiment, flow restrictor 204 is coupled
to knob 202 by a coupler (not shown). In still another embodiment,
flow restrictor 204 and knob 202 are each press fit onto an axle
220. If flow restrictor 204 and knob 202 are press fit onto axle
220, axle 220 is rotatably coupled to body 102 such that axle 220
and flow selector 200 are rotatable about axis 117 in directions
118, 120. In another embodiment, flow selector 200 is rotatable
relative to axle 220 and axle 220 is fixably coupled to body
102.
Referring to FIG. 4A, knob 202 includes a first radial extent
defined generally by first outer surface 222 and a second radial
extent defined generally by second outer surface 224. First outer
surface 222 is configured to be gripped by a user such that the
user is able to impart a rotation of flow selector 200 about axis
117 in one of directions 118, 120. In one embodiment, first outer
surface 222 is textured, such as knurled, to facilitate the
gripping of surface 222 by a user.
In one embodiment, knob 202 including surface 222 is made from
aluminum. In other examples, knob 202 including surface 222 is made
from brass or other suitable materials. In another embodiment, knob
202 is made from a first material, such as aluminum, brass, or a
thermoplastic material, and surface 222 is made of a different
second material, the second material aiding in the gripping of
surface 222. In one example, knob 202 is made of thermoplastic
material, such as ABS, and surface 222 is made from a rubber
material. Surface 222 is created by molding the base of knob 202
out of ABS and coupling the rubber material to the ABS material. In
one example, the ABS knob is an insert in a mold and the rubber
material is molded over the ABS knob.
Second outer surface 224 has a smaller diameter than first outer
surface 222. Second outer surface 224 is configured to include
indicia (not shown) indicating which pair of passages 214 and
respective passage 216 are aligned with fluid inlet 104 and fluid
outlet 106 and therefore to indicate the selected flow rate. In one
example, indicia are molded onto surface 224. In a further example,
the indicia are embossed. In another example, the indicia are
recessed. In yet another example, the indicia are painted or
otherwise applied to surface 224, such as with one or more
stickers.
It should be appreciated that any suitable indicia may be used,
such as lines, numbers, or letters. In one example, body 102
includes indicia on surface 124, such as a line or a plurality of
numbers. The user of flow regulator 100 aligns the appropriate
indicia of flow selector 200 with the indicia on body 102 to select
the respective flow rate. In one example, body 102 includes a line
as an indicia and flow selector 200 includes a plurality of
numbers, each number corresponding to a respective flow rate, such
that by aligning a number on flow selector 200 with the line on
body 102 results in the corresponding passages 214 and 216 being
aligned with fluid inlet 104 and fluid outlet 106. In another
example, body 102 includes a plurality of numbers as an indicia and
flow selector 200 includes a line, such that by aligning the line
of flow selector 200 with a number on body 102 results in the
corresponding passages 214 and 216 being aligned with fluid inlet
104 and fluid outlet 106. In still a further example, body 102
includes a window, such as window 380 shown in FIG. 11 and flow
selector 200 includes a plurality of numbers, such as number 2
shown in FIG. 11, such that aligning a number of flow selector 200
with the window on body 102 results in the corresponding passages
214 and 216 being aligned with fluid inlet 104 and fluid outlet
106.
Referring to FIG. 4A, knob 202 further includes a seat 230 sized to
receive seal 206. Seal 206 is inserted into recess 208 of knob 202
such that a first side 236 of seal 206 contacts step 230 of knob
202. Next, flow restrictor 204 is inserted into recess 208 such
that a first end 240 of flow restrictor 204 contact a second side
238 of seal 206.
Seal 206 includes a plurality openings 232 each located to
correspond to one of passages 214 of knob 202 and the respective
one of passages 216 of flow restrictor 204. It should be noted that
openings 232 do not overlap, but are separated by a land (not
shown). As such, seal 206 prevents fluid escaping from a respective
pair of passages 214, 216 to another one of passages 214, 216.
Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4A, an exemplary embodiment of flow
restrictor 204 is shown. In one embodiment, flow restrictor 204 is
made from brass. The illustrated embodiment of flow resistor 204
includes seven fluid passages, 216a-g, each one corresponding to a
respective flow rate. In one embodiment, the passages 216 are
arranged in order of increasing flow rates. For example, passage
216a corresponds to a flow rate of 0.5 liters of fluid per minute
(lpm), passage 216b corresponds to a flow rate of 1.0 lpm, passage
216c corresponds to a flow rate of 2.0 lpm, passage 216d
corresponds to a flow rate of 3.0 lpm, passage 216e corresponds to
a flow rate of 4.0 lpm, passage 216f corresponds to a flow rate of
5.0 lpm, and passage 216g corresponds to a flow rate of 6.0
lpm.
Referring to FIG. 4A, each passage 216 includes a first portion 242
and a second portion 244 including an orifice 246. Each orifice 246
is sized to correspond to the flow rate of the respective passage
216. In the illustrated embodiment, first portion 242 has a larger
radial extent than second portion 244. In another embodiment, first
portion 242 and second portion 244 have the same radial extent.
Referring to FIGS. 3A and 4A, flow restrictor 204 includes a
plurality of indexes or recesses 250 which cooperate with a detent,
such as ball 554 in FIG. 19. Indexes 250 are positioned such that
each one corresponds to the alignment of a respective combination
of passage 214 and passage 216 with fluid inlet passage 104 and
fluid outlet passage 106. In another embodiment, indexes 250 are
bumps which cooperate with depressions on body 102.
Referring to FIG. 4A, knob 202 further includes a recess 256 and a
recess 258, each sized to receive a seal 260 (see FIG. 6A). Seal
260 generally seals the region between knob 202 and body 102 to
prevent dust or other particles from entering flow regulator 100.
In one embodiment, seal 260 is made from a polymeric material, such
as Teflon or Kel-F. Additional seals may be provided to provide a
fluid tight seal between fluid inlet passage 104 and flow selector
200 and fluid outlet passage 106 and flow selector 200. For
example, o-ring seals 262 are shown in FIG. 6A positioned between
fluid inlet passage 104 and flow selector 200.
Referring to FIG. 4B, an alternative axle 220' is shown assembled
with knob 202 resulting in flow selector 200'. Axle 220' differs
from axle 220 of FIG. 3A in that axle 220' includes a central
passage 221 for transporting fluid. Therefore, a second fluid inlet
passage (not shown) may be coupled to a first end 223 of axle 220'
and a second fluid outlet passage (not shown) may be coupled to a
second end 225 of 220' to provide a second flow of fluid through
central passage 221 which bypasses flow passages 216 in flow
restrictor 204. As such, the combination of flow selector 200 and
axle 220' permits a metered or restricted flow of fluid based the
calibration of respective passages 214 and 216 through flow
selector 200 and a second flow of fluid through central passage 221
of axle 220' which bypasses flow passages 214 and 216. Example uses
for the second flow of fluid include providing a continuous flow
line to the patient, such as for a fluid conserver, and/or to
provide a fluid supply for the operation of an application device,
such as providing pressure to one side of a diaphragm of a
pneumatic fluid conserver application device.
Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C another exemplary embodiment of a flow
selector 400 is shown. Flow selector 400 is generally similar to
flow selector 200 and includes a knob 402 and a flow restrictor
404. Knob 402 includes an opening 408 sized to receive flow
restrictor 404. Opening 408 may include a key member (not shown)
which is received by key slot (not shown) of flow restrictor 404.
Key member (not shown) and key slot (not shown) cooperate to align
flow restrictor 404 relative to knob 402 such that indicia on knob
402 are aligned with flow restrictor 404.
Unlike knob 202, knob 402 does not include a plurality of fluid
passages. As such, a seal is not required between knob 402 and flow
restrictor 404. It should be appreciated that knob 402 and flow
restrictor 404 may be made as an integral component. However, by
having flow restrictor 404 and knob 402 be separate components,
different flow restrictors 404 may be used with knob 402 to provide
greater flexibility in the range of flow rates flow selector 400 is
configured to generate.
In one embodiment, flow restrictor 404 is press fit into opening
408 of knob 402. In another embodiment, flow restrictor 404 is
coupled to knob 402 by a coupler (not shown). In still another
embodiment, flow restrictor 404 is press fit onto an axle, such as
axle 220 or axle 220' and knob 402 is press fit onto flow
restrictor 404. If flow restrictor 404 and knob 402 are press fit
onto an axle, such as axle 220 or axle 220', then axle 220 or 220'
is rotatably coupled to body 102 such that axle 220 or 220' and
flow selector 400 are rotatable about axis 117 in directions 118,
120. In another embodiment, flow selector 400 is rotatable relative
to axle 220 or axle 220' and axle 220 or axle 220' is fixably
coupled to body 102.
Knob 402 similar to knob 202 includes a first radial extent defined
generally by first outer surface 422 and a second radial extent
defined generally by second outer surface 424. First outer surface
422 is configured to be gripped by a user such that the user is
able to impart a rotation of flow selector 400 such as about axis
117 in one of directions 118, 120 when flow selector 400 is used
with body portion 102. In one embodiment, first outer surface 422
is textured, such as knurled, to facilitate the gripping of surface
422 by a user.
In one embodiment, knob 402 including surface 422 is made from
aluminum. In other examples, knob 402 including surface 422 is made
from brass or other suitable materials. In another embodiment, knob
402 is made from a first material, such as aluminum, brass, or a
thermoplastic material, and surface 422 is made of a different
second material, the second material aiding in the gripping of
surface 422. In one example, knob 402 is made of thermoplastic
material, such as ABS, and surface 422 is made from a rubber
material. Surface 422 is created by molding the base of knob 402
out of ABS and coupling the rubber material to the ABS material. In
one example, the ABS knob is an insert in a mold and the rubber
material is molded over the ABS knob.
Second outer surface 424 has a smaller diameter than first radial
surface 422. Second outer surface 424 is configured to include
indicia, such as indicia 509 in FIG. 11, indicating which of
passages 416 of flow restrictor 404 are aligned with fluid inlet
104 and fluid outlet 106 and therefore to indicate the selected
flow rate. In one example, indicia are molded onto surface 424. In
another example, the indicia are embossed. In yet another example,
the indicia are recessed. In a further example, the indicia are
painted or otherwise applied to surface 424, such as with one or
more stickers.
It should be appreciated that any suitable indicia may be used,
such as lines, numbers, or letters. In one example, body 102
includes indicia on surface 124, such as a line or a plurality of
numbers. The user of flow regulator 100 aligns the appropriate
indicia of flow selector 400 with the indicia on body 102 to select
the respective flow rate. In one example, body 102 includes a line
as an indicia and flow selector 400 includes a plurality of
numbers, each number corresponding to a respective flow rate, such
that by aligning a number of flow selector 400 with the line on
body 102 results in the corresponding passage 414 being aligned
with fluid inlet 104 and fluid outlet 106. In another example, body
102 includes a plurality of numbers as an indicia and flow selector
400 includes a line, such that by aligning the line of flow
selector 400 with a number on body 102 results in the corresponding
passage 416 being aligned with fluid inlet 104 and fluid outlet
106. In still a further example, body 102 includes a window, such
as window 380 shown in FIG. 11 and flow selector 400 includes a
plurality of numbers, such as number 2 shown in FIG. 24, such that
aligning a number of flow selector 400 with the window on body 102
results in the corresponding passage 416 of flow restrictor 404
being aligned with fluid inlet 104 and fluid outlet 106.
Referring to FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, an exemplary embodiment of flow
restrictor 404 is shown. In one embodiment, flow restrictor 404 is
made from brass. The illustrated embodiment of flow resistor 404
includes five fluid passages, 416a-e in FIGS. 5A-C, each one
corresponding to a respective flow rate. In another embodiment,
flow restrictor 404 includes six fluid passages 416. As stated
above in connection with flow restrictor 204, multiple fluid
passages 416 are configured to provide different flow rates. In one
embodiment, fluid passages 416 are arranged in increasing order of
flow rates. For example, passage 416a corresponds to a flow rate of
0.5 lpm, passage 416b corresponds to a flow rate of 1.0 lpm,
passage 416c corresponds to a flow rate of 2.0 lpm, passage 416d
corresponds to a flow rate of 3.0 lpm, and passage 416e corresponds
to a flow rate of 4.0 lpm.
In one embodiment, flow restrictor 404 includes orifices sized to
correspond to the flow rate of the respective passage 416 (similar
to flow restrictor 204). Referring to FIG. 5B, in the illustrated
embodiment, each passage 416 of flow restrictor 404 includes a
first portion 442 and a second portion 444. First portion 442
permits the flow of fluid when aligned with fluid inlet 104 and
fluid outlet 106 to pass from a first side 441 of flow restrictor
404 to a second side 443 of flow restrictor 404.
Second portion 444 intersects with first portion 442 and is shown
perpendicular to first portion 442. In other examples, second
portion 444 forms an acute angle with first portion 442. Second
portion 444 is sized to receive an occluder or flow calibrator 446.
Occluder 446 is configured to at least partially intersect with
first portion 442 and to reduce a cross-sectional area of first
portion 442. By reducing the cross-sectional area of first portion
442, occluder or flow calibrator 446 controls the corresponding
flow rate of respective passage 416 for fluid flowing from first
side 441 to second side 443.
In the illustrated embodiment, occluder 446 is a spherical occluder
or ball 448. Ball 448 is press fit into second portion 444 with a
tool (not shown). The tool advances ball 448 into second portion
444 and ultimately into first portion 442 to a position wherein the
resultant cross-sectional area of first portion 442 corresponds to
the desired flow rate for the respective passage 416. It should be
noted that passage 416 includes a recess 449 configured to receive
a portion of ball 448 when ball 448 is further advanced by the
tool. Ball 448 and second portion 444 generally form a tight seal
so that fluid does not pass by ball 448 and through second portion
444. Other types of occluders may be used, such as needle valves
inserted in second portion 444.
In one exemplary method, flow restrictor 404 is positioned in a
fixture (not shown) and aligned with a fluid inlet and a fluid
outlet such that a flow of fluid is passing through passage 416.
The flow rate of passage 416 being monitored by a detector as is
well know in the art. The tool then slowly advances ball 448 in
second portion 444 until the monitored flow rate drops to the
corresponding desired or calibrated flow rate for passage 416
indicating that the correct cross-sectional area of first portion
442 has been achieved.
In one embodiment ball 448 is inserted from one of sides 441, 443
of flow restrictor 404 to at least partially occlude the flow of
passage 416. U.S. Pat. No. 4,366,947 to Voege ("Voege") and U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/620,890, filed Oct. 21,
2004, titled "A FLUID REGULATOR", ("'890 Application"), both
provide at least one exemplary embodiment of occluding flow by the
insertion of a ball type occluder into a passage from an axial face
of a flow restrictor. Both Voege and the '890 Application are
expressly incorporated by reference herein. It should be noted that
the occlusion methods shown in both Voege and in the '890
Application introduces a bend into the fluid flow path through flow
restrictor 404 such that flow passage 416 is non-linear.
Referring to FIG. 5A, flow restrictor 404 includes a plurality of
indexes or recesses 450 which cooperate with a detent, such as ball
554 in FIG. 19. Indexes 450 are positioned such that each one
corresponds to the alignment of a respective fluid passage 416 with
fluid inlet passage 104 and fluid outlet passage 106. In another
embodiment, indexes 450 are bumps which cooperate with depressions
on body 102.
Referring to FIG. 5D, a diagrammatic representation of a modified
flow restrictor 404' is shown. Flow restrictor 404' is generally
the same as flow restrictor 404 except that first portion 442' of
flow restrictor 404' includes a first section 442a' and a second
section 442b' offset from first section 442a'. In flow restrictor
404, first portion 442 is generally positioned along a single axis,
not along two axes. In flow restrictor 404', first section 442a'
and second section 442b' are positioned along two separate axes
443a, 443b, respectively. During normal operation, one of fluid
passage 104 (see FIG. 1) or 547 and fluid passage 106 (see FIG. 1)
or 590 is in fluid communication with section 442a' and the other
of fluid passage 104 or 547 and fluid passage 106 or 590 is in
fluid communication with section 442b' during normal operation.
However, as shown in FIG. 5D axis 443a of fluid section 442a' is
not aligned with an axis 447 of fluid passage 547 and axis 443b of
fluid section 442b' is not aligned with axis 449 of fluid passage
590. In the illustrated embodiment, axis 447 and axis 449 are
aligned.
The relationship of first section 442a', second section 442b',
fluid passage 547, and fluid passage 590 is such that one of the
first section 442a' and second section 442b' is shut off from its
respective fluid passage of fluid passages 547, 590 prior to the
other of first section 442a' and second section 442b' during the
rotation of flow restrictor 404'. A first side 445a of fluid
section 442a' is generally positioned proximate a first side 451 of
fluid passage 547 while a second side 445b of fluid section 442a'
is generally positioned further offset from second side 453 of
fluid passage 547 than first side 445a is from first side 451. A
first side 455a of fluid section 442b' is generally positioned
proximate a first side 457 of fluid passage 590 while a second side
455b of fluid section 442b' is generally positioned further offset
from a second side 459 of fluid passage 590 than first side 455a is
from first side 457.
Referring to FIG. 5D, a clockwise rotation of flow restrictor 404',
generally denoted by direction 461, results in fluid section 442b'
being shut off from fluid passage 590 prior to fluid section 442a'
being shut off from fluid passage 547. A counterclockwise rotation
of flow restrictor 404', generally denoted by direction 463,
results in fluid section 442a' being shut off from fluid passage
547 prior to fluid section 442b' being shut off from fluid passage
590.
When axle 220' is used with flow selector 400 or 400' a second
fluid inlet passage 548 (shown in FIG. 14) may be coupled to a
first end 223 of axle 220' and a second fluid outlet passage 618
(shown in FIG. 14) may be coupled to a second end 225 of 220' to
provide a second flow of fluid through central passage 221. As
such, the combination of flow selector 400 or 400' and axle 220'
permits a metered or calibrated flow of fluid through flow selector
400 or 400' and a second flow of fluid through central passage 221
of axle 220'. Example uses for the second flow of fluid include
providing a continuous flow line to the patient, such as for a
fluid conserver application device, and/or to provide a fluid
supply for the operation of an application device, such as
providing pressure to one side of a diaphragm of a pneumatic fluid
conserver application device.
Referring to FIG. 6A, a flow regulator 300 including a body 301 and
flow selector 200 is shown. It should be understood that one of
flow selector 200; 400, 400' can be used in place of flow selector
200. Flow selector 200 is rotatably coupled to a first portion 302
of body 301. Illustratively, flow selector 200 is coupled to body
portion 302 through axle 220 and the internal components of flow
regulator 300, such as a pressure reduction section 170. A second
portion 304 of body 301 is coupled to the first portion 302 of body
301. In one example, a second portion 304 includes an application
device 306. In another example, as shown in FIG. 6B a second
portion 308 of body 301 includes an oxygen conserver application
device 310. In the illustrated embodiment, first portion 302 is
coupled to a first end 217 of axle 220 and respective second
portion 304, 308 is coupled to a second end 219 of axle 220. In
another embodiment axle 220 is coupled to only one of first portion
302 and respective second portion 304, 308.
It should be noted that FIGS. 6A-6C are provided to better
illustrate the operation of flow regulator 300 and that FIGS. 6A-6C
are not intended to be a single cross-section through flow
regulator 300 but rather to illustrate various features of the
various components of flow regulator 300.
As shown generally in FIGS. 6A, 6B, flow selector 200 is generally
positioned within body 302 with a portion of knob 202 being raised
above an outer surface 340 of body 302. As such, knob 202 is able
to be gripped by a user to adjust the combination of passages 214,
216 which are in communication with fluid inlet 332. However, flow
selector 200 does not appreciably enlarge the envelope of flow
regulator 300. As such, in one example flow selector 200 is
rotatable about an axis offset from the central axis of body 302
but is still substantially within the envelope of flow regulator
300. In another example, flow selector 200 is rotatable about an
axis offset from the central axis of body 302 and is completely
within or just touching the envelope of flow regulator 300. It
should be understood that one of flow selector 200; 400, 400' can
be used in place of flow selector 200.
Referring to FIG. 9, using an axis 339 of nipple 338 as a
reference, an axis 341 intersecting with fluid inlet passage 332
and axle 220 is generally 67.degree. from axis 339. Such
orientation is preferred. In another embodiment, axis 341 is
generally at another angle from axis 339. Flow selector 400 is
illustrated in FIG. 9. However, it should be understood that one of
flow selectors 200, 200', 400' can be used in place of flow
selector 400.
Returning to FIG. 6A, body 302 illustratively includes a yoke 320
configured to couple a source of pressurized fluid 322 to flow
regulator 300. In an exemplary embodiment, yoke 320 includes an
opening 324 sized to receive a post valve (not shown) and a
threaded aperture 326 sized to threadably receive a retainer (not
shown). As is known in the art, the retainer urges a fluid outlet
of the post valve into engagement with a fluid inlet 328 of flow
regulator 300 such that fluid is communicated to flow regulator 300
from the source of pressurized fluid.
Fluid from the source of pressurized fluid 322 enters fluid inlet
328 and is communicated to pressure reduction section 170 which is
configured to provide a lower pressure, such as about 5 psi, about
15 psi, about 20 psi, about 22 psi, about 27 psi, about 50 psi,
about 60 psi, and the range of about 5 psi to about 60 psi, to a
fluid inlet passage 332. This lower pressure is established as a
fixed reduced pressure by the particular configuration of the
components of pressure reduction section 170 selected for the
desired lower pressure output. Fluid in fluid inlet passage 332 is
communicated to one of the combination passages 214, 216 through
flow selector 200 to provide a metered or calibrated fluid flow to
a fluid outlet passage (not shown). Fluid from fluid inlet passage
328 is also provided to a fluid pressure gauge 334 to provide a
reading of the pressure in the source of pressurized fluid 322.
Fluid inlet 328 includes a fluid conduit 350 through a fluid inlet
retainer 360. Referring to FIG. 6C, fluid inlet retainer 360
includes at least one filter 362, a filter retainer 364, and a seal
ring 366. Filter retainer 364 is threadably received within a
central opening in body portion 302. Filter retainer 364 includes
fluid conduit 350 which has an enlarged portion 368 for receiving
one or more filters 362. Filters 362 remove impurities from the
fluid, such as from oxygen. In one example, filters 362 are
designed to filter particles which are about 0.66 microns or
larger.
In one embodiment, two filters are positioned within enlarged
portion 368. In another embodiment, three filters are positioned
within enlarged portion 368. Exemplary filters include sintered
bronze filters having a length of about 0.188 inches and a diameter
of about 0.130 inches or filters made from other materials which
will not ignite in the presence of oxygen flowing there through at
relatively high pressures, such as about 500 to about 3000 psi. In
one example filter retainer 364 is made from brass. In alternative
embodiment, filter retainer 364 is made from other materials which
will not ignite in the presence of oxygen flowing there through at
relatively high pressures.
Seal ring 366 includes a seal 370 and a support 372. In one
example, seal 370 is made of a flouroelastomer, Viton.RTM., having
a durometer of about 75 and support 372 is made of brass. Seal 370
is received within a central opening in support 372 and axially
extends outward beyond the axial surfaces of support 372. Seal ring
366 is positioned over filter retainer 364 such that a first
portion 376 of seal 370 contacts one of body 302 or filter inlet
retainer 364 and such that a top portion 378 of filter inlet
retainer 364 extends axially beyond a second portion 380 of seal
370.
First portion 376 of seal 370 provides a seal between one of body
302 and filter retainer 364 and support 372 when the source of
pressurized fluid is coupled to flow regulator 300. Second portion
380 of seal 370 provides a seal between support 372 and the source
of pressurized fluid when the source of pressurized fluid is
coupled to flow regulator 300. As such, when the source of
pressurized fluid is coupled to flow regulator 300, seal ring 366
prevents or at least minimizes the passage of fluid from the source
of pressurized fluid to anywhere (such as atmosphere) other than
fluid conduit 350 of fluid inlet retainer 360.
Fluid conduit 350 is generally shown as a central longitudinal
conduit and includes a fluid outlet 384 (see FIG. 6A). The diameter
of fluid outlet 384 is generally reduced relative to the diameter
of enlarged portion 368 which receives filter 362. In one example,
a diameter of fluid outlet 384 is about 0.029 inches. Fluid which
passes through filters 362 passes through fluid outlet 384 and is
presented to pressure reduction section 170.
Referring to FIG. 6C, fluid inlet retainer 360 further includes at
least one radial fluid conduit 386 which is in fluid communication
with fluid conduit 350. When fluid inlet retainer 360 is coupled to
body portion 102 radial fluid conduit 386 is in fluid communication
with a radial passageway 357 in body portion 302. Passageway 357 is
in fluid communication with a recess in body portion 302 which is
designed to threadably receive pressure gauge 334. Referring to
FIG. 6A, pressure gauge 334 includes a face 333 visible through a
window 343 which includes indicia to provide an operator with an
indication of the pressure of the fluid in the source of
pressurized fluid. In one example, the window is made of Lexan.
Gauge 334 includes a protective outer member. In one example, the
protective outer member is made of rubber.
Returning to FIG. 6C, fluid from radial fluid conduit 384 is
prevented from passing to atmosphere adjacent fluid inlet 328 due
to seal 370 of seal ring 366 and is prevented from entering cavity
303 in body portion 302 due to seal 396 received by a groove on
filter retainer 364 and positioned between filter retainer 364 and
the channel in body portion 302 which receives filter retainer
364.
Referring to FIGS. 6A, 7 and 8, pressure reduction section 170 is
shown. Pressure reduction section 170 includes a vent mechanism
172, a biasing member 174, a piston 176, and a housing 178.
Pressure reduction section 170 is configured to receive a high
pressure of fluid, such as greater than 500 psi, and to provide a
lower pressure, such as about 5 psi, about 15 psi, about 20 psi,
about 22 psi, about 27 psi, about 50 psi, about 60 psi, and the
range of about 5 psi to about 60 psi, to one or more fluid inlet
passages. This lower pressure is established as a fixed reduced
pressure by the particular configuration of the components of
pressure reduction section 170 selected for the desired lower
pressure output. In one embodiment, housing 178 is coupled to an
axle, such as axle 220', to support a flow selector/flow
restrictor, such as flow selector 400, the axle either being solid
or containing a fluid conduit which is in fluid communication with
the interior of the housing.
As shown in FIG. 8, when assembled biasing member 174 is positioned
between vent mechanism 172 and piston 176. Vent mechanism 172,
biasing member 174, and piston 176 are each generally received
within a cavity 180 (see FIGS. 6C and 7) of housing 178. When
assembled, vent mechanism 172 is positioned adjacent fluid outlet
384 of fluid inlet retainer 360. A seal 382 (see FIG. 6C) is
positioned between a first surface 184 (see FIG. 6C) of vent
mechanism 172 and an axial surface 386 (see FIG. 6C) of body
portion 302. Seal 382 is retained in a groove in body portion 302.
In a preferred example, the groove is a half dove-tailed groove
(see FIG. 6C). Referring to FIG. 7, piston 176 includes a seat
surface 184 for receiving biasing member 174. Seat surface 184 is
offset from axial surface 186 and is bounded by radial surface 188
thereby forming a recess 190. Recess 190 assists in the retention
of biasing member 174 and reduces the overall length of the
combination of vent mechanism 172, biasing member 174, and piston
176 (resulting in a reduction of the length of pressure reduction
section 170 and hence of flow regulator 300). In one embodiment,
the depth of recess 190 from axial surface 186 is about 74% of the
distance from axial surface 186 to back surface 196 (see FIG. 8) of
piston 176. In one example, the depth of recess 190 is about 0.125
inches and the separation between axial surface 186 and back
surface 196 is about 0.169 inches. In one embodiment, piston 176 is
made of brass.
In one embodiment, biasing member 174 is a compression spring. In
one example, the spring is made of stainless steel with a load
height of about 0.425 inches and a solid height of about 0.38
inches. The spring has a load of about 31.3 pounds.
Referring to FIG. 6C, piston 176 includes a stem 191 which includes
a central fluid conduit 192 and a transverse fluid conduit 194. As
explained in more detail below, fluid enters piston 176 through
transverse fluid conduit 194, flows through fluid conduit 192, and
exits piston 176 proximate to back surface 196 of piston 176. Stem
191 is received in a central passageway 266 (see FIG. 7) in vent
mechanism 172. The height of vent mechanism 172 is chosen such that
passageway 266 serves as a guide for piston 176 and to permit the
proper travel of piston 176 in directions 268 and 270 shown in FIG.
6C. To this end recess 190 receives an end 272 of vent mechanism
172 as piston 176 travels in direction 270. Therefore, the
inclusion of recess 190 in piston 176 permits the length of vent
mechanism 172 to be longer and provide a more stable guide for
piston 176, while maintaining the overall reduced length of
regulator 300 as discussed above. In one embodiment, end 272 moves
completely into recess 190 to contact bottom surface 184 of recess
190.
Piston 176 includes a radial groove 181 which receives a seal 198.
Seal 198 provides a seal between piston 176 and housing 178 such
that fluid is prevented from reaching back surface 196 of piston
176 except through fluid conduit 192. A recess 260 is formed in the
end of stem 191 to receive a seal 263 (see FIG. 7). Seal 263 is
positioned such that it can contact a seat surface 197 (see FIG.
6C) of fluid inlet retainer 130. In one example, seal 262 is a made
of a glass filled Teflon, such as 15% glass filled Teflon. Piston
176 further includes a recess 267 to receive a seal 265. Seal 265
seals between piston 176 and base 172.
Pressure reduction section 170 is held in place relative to body
portion 102 by a retainer 271. Retainer 271 is shown as a clip that
is received in a groove of cavity 303 of body 302. In an
alternative embodiment, pressure reduction section 170 is
threadably received in cavity 303, is press fit into cavity 303, or
secured by other suitable methods.
The operation of pressure reduction section 170 is described with
reference to FIG. 6C. In the absence of any fluid flow biasing
member 174 of pressure reduction section 170 biases piston 176 in
direction 268 relative to vent mechanism or base 172 such that back
surface 196 of piston 176 is positioned adjacent a seat surface 177
in housing 178 and such that vent mechanism 172 is in contact with
seal 382. Flow regulator 300 is coupled to a source of pressurized
fluid 322 such that high pressure fluid enters fluid inlet retainer
360 from source of pressurized fluid 322. The fluid then passes
through filters 362, and exits fluid inlet retainer 360 through
fluid outlet 384. This fluid passes through transverse conduit 194
of piston 176 and down central conduit 192 of piston 176. The
fluid, assuming it is at a high enough pressure, builds up on the
back side of piston 176 (adjacent back surface 196) causing piston
176 to move generally in direction 270. If flow selector 200 is set
such that fluid is not permitted to pass through flow selector 200
(none of fluid passages 216 are aligned with fluid outlet 332 in
housing 178), then piston 176 continues to move in direction 210
against the bias of biasing member 174 due to the pressure buildup
on the backside of piston 176. As piston 176 moves in direction
270, seal 262 of piston 176 moves closer to seat surface 197 of
fluid inlet retainer 130. Assuming pressure continues to build
(flow selector 200 is not moved to permit fluid to exit through
fluid outlet 332) seal 262 contacts seat surface 197 and fluid flow
is prevented from exiting fluid inlet retainer 360.
As flow selector 200 is moved to a flow setting, fluid is permitted
to flow through fluid conduit 332 in housing 178, through the
corresponding fluid conduit 214 of flow selector 200, and to
application device 310. Flow selector 200 is moved to a flow
setting by a user imparting a rotation to flow selector 200. As
stated above, a detent cooperates with indexes 250 to provide an
indication to the user of when a fluid channel 216 is aligned with
fluid outlet 332.
As fluid flows through flow selector 200, the pressure on the
backside of piston 176 is reduced and piston 176 moves in direction
268 due to biasing member 174 such that seal 262 of piston 176 is
spaced apart from seat surface 197. This movement once again
permits fluid to exit fluid retainer 360 and to flow through piston
176. As time goes on and as long as the flow selector 200 is moved
to a flow setting, a cyclic pattern is established wherein the
pressure on the backside of piston 176 builds resulting in piston
moving in direction 270 and thereby reducing the amount of fluid
which flows to the backside of piston 176 followed by the pressure
on the backside of piston 176 decreasing resulting in piston 176
moving in direction 268 and thereby increasing the amount of fluid
which flows to the backside of piston 176.
Vent mechanism 172 also provides a safety feature to prevent a
buildup of pressure in the interior of housing 178. Vent mechanism
172 includes a recess 173 (see FIG. 7) which is in fluid
communication with fluid outlet 384. As pressure builds up in
recess 173 (potentially due to an obstruction of the fluid passage
192 in piston 176), vent mechanism 172 can move in direction 268
against the bias of biasing member 174. Such movement brings recess
173 into fluid communication with region 180 in housing 178. As
shown in FIG. 7, housing 178 includes a vent opening 183 in wall
185. Vent opening 183 is aligned with corresponding vent openings
(not shown) in body 302 and cooperate with the vent openings in
body 302 to bring region 180 in fluid communication with the air
surrounding flow regulator 300. As such, an excessive pressure
buildup may be vented to atmosphere. In one embodiment housing 178
and body 302 each include two vent openings.
Housing 185 further includes a recess 269 sized to receive a seal
259. Seal 259 seals between housing 185 and the interior cavity of
body 302.
Referring to FIG. 6A, a second fluid passage 335 receiving fluid
from pressure reduction section 170 may be included in flow
regulator 300 to provide a second flow of fluid. Example uses for
the second flow of fluid include providing a continuous flow line
to the patient for a fluid conserver application device or a fluid
supply for providing pressure to one side of a diaphragm of a
pneumatic fluid conserver application device. As shown in FIG. 6A,
passage 335 is located below flow selector 200. In another
embodiment, in FIG. 6B, instead of second fluid passage 335 passing
below flow selector 200, flow selector 200 uses axle 220' such that
the second flow of fluid passes through the channel 221 of axle
220' and hence through flow selector 200 without passing through
one of passages 216.
Referring to FIG. 10, an exemplary fluid conserver device 500 is
shown. Conserver 500 includes a flow regulator portion 502 and a
conserver portion 504. Flow regulator 502 is generally similar to
flow regulator portion 300. Conserver portion 504 is configured for
use with a single lumen cannula 503 (see FIG. 13). However, as
explained herein, conserver portion 504 may also be configured for
use with a dual lumen cannula (not shown).
Conserver 500 is configured to provide at least one metered or
calibrated flow of fluid to the single lumen cannula in a
continuous mode of operation and/or an intermittent mode of
operation. In the continuous mode of operation, conserver 500
provides a continuous flow of fluid to a patient through the single
lumen cannula. In the intermittent mode of operation, conserver 500
provides pulses of fluid to a patient through the single lumen
cannula. As explained herein conserver 500 can also be configured
for use with a dual lumen cannula and be configured to provide at
least one metered or calibrated flow of fluid to the dual lumen
cannula in a continuous mode of operation and/or an intermittent
mode of operation. Both configurations of conserver 500 (single
lumen and dual lumen) preferably are capable of providing one or
more metered or calibrated flows to the respective cannula in a
continuous mode of operation and/or intermittent mode of
operation.
In one embodiment, the timing of the pulses and/or the duration of
the pulses are triggered by the breathing cycle of the patient. In
another embodiment, the timing of the pulses and/or the duration of
the pulses are controlled by a pneumatic controller which uses the
pneumatic characteristics of conserver 500 to move a valve or
piston. In still a further embodiment, the timing of the pulses
and/or the duration of the pulses are controlled by an electronic
controller which activates an electrically or pneumatically
activated valve or piston. The electronic controller is either
integrated with the application device or separate from the
application device. In still another embodiment the timing of the
pulses and the duration of the pulses are controlled by a
combination of one or more of the patient's breathing cycle, a
pneumatic controller, and an electrical controller.
Flow regulator 502 is generally similar to flow regulator 300
described herein. It should be understood that the discussion above
related to flow regulator 300 is generally applicable to flow
regulator 502.
Referring to FIG. 16, flow regulator 502 includes a main body 510
having an internal cavity 511 sized to receive pressure reduction
section 170 and a flow selector 400 (see FIG. 19). Pressure
reduction section 170 receives fluid from a fluid inlet retainer
531 (see FIG. 13) and is configured to provide a lower pressure,
such as about 5 psi, about 15 psi, about 20 psi, about 22 psi,
about 27 psi, about 50 psi, about 60 psi, and the range of about 5
psi to about 60 psi, to a fluid inlet passage 332. This lower
pressure is established as a fixed reduced pressure by the
particular configuration of the components of pressure reduction
section 170 selected for the desired lower pressure output. Fluid
inlet retainer 531 is generally similar to fluid inlet retainer
360.
Returning to FIG. 10, conserver portion 504 includes a first body
portion 512, a second body portion 514 and a third body portion
516. Body portion 510 of flow regulator portion 502 and body
portions 512, 514, 516 of conserver portion 504 are assembled, such
as by stacking, to provide conserver 500. As explained in more
detail below, couplers 518 (see FIG. 12) are received in
corresponding openings in body portions 512, 514, 516 of conserver
504 and are threaded into openings 519 (see FIG. 16) of body
portion 510 of flow regulator 502. In the illustrated embodiment,
body portions 510, 512, 514, 516 are configured such that there is
only a single orientation that corresponds to a proper assembly of
body portions 510, 512, 514, 516.
In an illustrated embodiment, the single orientation is defined by
the spacing of the respective openings in 510, 512, 514, 516 which
receive couplers 518. Referring to FIG. 16, the respective openings
whose location corresponds to the locations of couplers 518 are
spaced around the body portions 510, 512, 514, 516 such that only a
single orientation of body portions 510, 512, 514, 516 will result
in allowing couplers 518 to pass through the respective openings
and to couple the respective body portions 510, 512, 514, 516
together. In an alternative embodiment, the various body portions
include key features and respective key recesses to orient the
respective body portions relative to each other. In another
alternative embodiment the various body portions include mounting
components which couple the respective body portions together. The
assembly of conserver 500 is explained in more detail with respect
to FIGS. 16-29.
Referring to FIG. 13, body 510 includes a yoke 520 configured to
couple a source of pressurized fluid 522 to conserver 500. Yoke 520
includes an opening 524 sized to receive a post valve and a
threaded aperture 526 sized to threadably receive a retainer 527.
As is known in the art, retainer 527 urges a fluid outlet of the
post valve into engagement with a fluid inlet 528 of flow regulator
502 such that fluid is communicated to flow regulator 502 from the
source of pressurized fluid 522. Fluid from fluid passage 528 is
provided to a fluid pressure gauge 529 through fluid passage 533 to
provide a reading of the pressure in the source of pressurized
fluid 522.
Referring to FIGS. 17A-D, body 510 includes several regions for the
inclusion and/or placement of instructions or other indicia 541. In
the illustrated embodiment, company identification information is
located in region 543, instructional or informational text is
located in regions 545a-d. Further, indicia 541 may include
alignment indicia in regions 551a-c to assist in communicating to a
user the selected flow rate of flow selector 400 and/or the mode of
operation of conserver 500.
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 16, pressure reduction section 170
includes a vent mechanism 172, a biasing member 174, a piston 176,
and a housing 178. Pressure reduction section 170 is configured to
provide a lower pressure, such as about 5 psi, about 15 psi, about
20 psi, about 22 psi, about 27 psi, about 50 psi, about 60 psi, and
the range of about 5 psi to about 60 psi, to one or more fluid
inlet passages. This lower pressure is established as a fixed
reduced pressure by the particular configuration of the components
of pressure reduction section 170 selected for the desired lower
pressure output.
As illustrated in FIG. 8, biasing member 174 is positioned between
vent mechanism 172 and piston 176. Vent mechanism 172, biasing
member 174, and piston 176 are each generally received within a
cavity 180 (see FIG. 7) of housing 178. When assembled, vent
mechanism 172 is positioned adjacent seal 542 (see FIG. 14) and
pressure reduction section 170 is held in place by a retainer 544
(see FIG. 16). Retainer 544 is shown as a clip that is received in
a groove of cavity 511 of body 510. In an alternative embodiment,
flow reduction member 530 is threadably received in cavity 511, is
press fit into cavity 511, or secured by other suitable
methods.
As explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 14,
pressure reduction section 170 includes a first fluid passage 546
through an opening in piston 176 a second fluid passage 548 formed
in the space between piston 176 and an interior surface 550 of
housing 178 and a third fluid passage 547 generally aligned with
first fluid passage 546. Fluid from fluid passage 547 is
communicated to one of the fluid passages 416 through flow selector
400 to provide a metered or calibrated fluid flow to a fluid outlet
passage as discussed in more detail below.
Referring to FIG. 16, housing 178 is coupled to an axle, such as
axle 220'. Axle 220' is press fit into an opening of housing 178.
In alternative embodiments, axle 220' is threadably received by an
opening in housing 178, secured to housing 178 with an adhesive or
by a mechanical joint, such as a weld, is integrally formed with
housing 178, or is rotatably coupled to housing 178. As explained
above, axle 220' has a fluid passage 221 formed therein. Fluid
passage 221 in one embodiment is a calibrated fluid passage such
that a known fluid flow rate is associated with fluid passage 221.
In alternative embodiments, a solid axle is used.
Referring to FIG. 14, fluid passage 221 is in fluid communication
with fluid passage 548 of pressure reduction section 170. As
explained in more detail below, in one embodiment, fluid passing
through fluid passage 548 and fluid passage 221 is used to control
the operation of a demand piston 734.
Referring to FIGS. 14, 19, and 20, flow selector 400 is rotatably
coupled to axle 220. A central channel 452 (see FIG. 19) of flow
selector 400 receives axle 220'. In an alternative embodiment, axle
220' is fixably coupled to flow selector 400 and is rotatably
coupled to pressure reduction section 170.
As discussed above, flow selector 400 includes a plurality of
recesses 450 sized to receive a detent 554 (see FIG. 19). Recesses
450 cooperate with detent 554 to align respective flow passages 416
in flow selector 400 with flow passage 547 in pressure reduction
section 170 and to provide a positive indication to the user of
such alignment. Referring to FIG. 19, detent 554 is a spherical
ball which is at least partially received in a recess 556 of
housing 178 of pressure reduction section 170. Detent 554 is sized
to cooperate with recesses 450 in flow selection 400.
A biasing member 558, illustratively a spring, is also received in
recess 556 of housing 178 and biases detent 554 into recess 450 of
flow selector 400. Additional exemplary detents include a bump on
the surface of housing 178 or a plastic insert having a bump. In
alternative embodiments, detent 554 is received in a recess of flow
selector 400 and housing 178 includes a plurality of recesses each
one corresponding to the alignment of a fluid passage 416 in flow
selector 400 with fluid passage 547 in pressure reduction section
170.
Once detent 554 and biasing member 558 are positioned in recess
556, flow selector 400 is positioned over axle 220' such that one
of recesses 450 of flow selector 400 is cooperating with detent 554
and such that a back surface 441 (see FIG. 5B) of flow selector 400
is in contact with seal 560 (see FIG. 19) which prevents or
minimizes the escape of fluid as the fluid passes from fluid
passage 547 in pressure reduction section 170 into fluid passage
416 of flow selector 400. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 14,
seal 560 and two additional seals 561, 563 assist to prevent or
minimize the escape of fluid as fluid passes from fluid passage 547
in pressure reduction section 170 into fluid passage 416. Seals
560, 561, and 563 cooperate to act as a silencer or muffler as flow
sector 400 is rotated during the selection of the appropriate fluid
passages 416.
Referring to FIG. 19, flow selector 400 is axially held in place by
a retainer 564 such that back surface 441 (see FIG. 5B) of flow
selector 400 remains in contact with seal 560 and such that one of
recesses 450 is cooperating with detent 554. Retainer 564 is
received in a circumferential channel in axle 220'. A seal 562 is
positioned over retainer 564. In an alternative embodiment, flow
selector 400 is held in place by conserver 504, a nut threadably
received by axle 220' or other suitable securing means that axially
secure flow selector 400 while still permitting flow selector 400
to be rotatable relative to axle 220'.
Flow selector 400 is shown assembled with body 510 and pressure
reduction section 170 in FIG. 20. It should be noted that radial
surface 422 is accessible from the exterior of body portion 510 and
that a user can input a rotation to flow selector 400.
Referring to FIGS. 21A and 21B first body portion 512 of conserver
portion 504 is shown. Referring to FIG. 21A, a lower surface 580 of
first body portion 512 is shown. Lower surface 580 mates with an
upper surface 582 (see FIG. 20) of body portion 510. First body
portion 512 includes a plurality of openings 584 each sized to
receive respective couplers 518 which are then threadably received
in openings 586 of body portion 510.
First body portion 512 includes a central fluid passage 588
configured to align with the respective one of fluid passages 416
in flow selector 400 which is currently aligned with fluid passage
547 in flow regulator portion 502. As best shown in FIG. 14,
central fluid passage 588 includes a first portion 590 sized to
receive seals 592, 594, a second portion 596, and a third portion
598 sized to receive seal 600. Seals 592, 594 seal the transition
from fluid passage 416 in flow selector 400 to fluid passage 588 in
first body portion 512. As explained in more detail below, seal 600
seals the transition from fluid passage 588 and a fluid passage 602
in first body portion 512 and provides a seat for demand piston
734.
Referring to FIG. 14, fluid passage 602 includes a first portion
604 which intersects with third portion 598 of fluid passage 588
and a second portion 606 sized to be threadably coupled to a nipple
608. Nipple 608 is configured to couple to single lumen cannula 503
(see FIG. 13) as is well known in the art. A seal (not shown) is
provided to seal the connection between fluid passage 602 and
nipple 608.
It should be noted that FIGS. 13, 14, and 14A-D are provided to
better illustrate the operation of conserver 500 and that FIGS. 13,
14, and 14A-D are not intended to be a single cross-section through
conserver 500 but rather to illustrate various features of the
various components of conserver 500.
First body portion 512 further includes fluid passage 616 having a
first portion 618 sized to receive axle 220', a second portion 620,
and a third portion 622. First portion 618 is sized to receive an
end of axle 220' and is in fluid communication with channel 221 of
axle 220'. Further, first portion 618 includes a recess sized to
receive seal 562 which seals the connection between axle 220' and
first body portion 512. Third portion 622 is sized to receive a
seal 612 which is sized to seal the connection between fluid
passage 616 and first mode selector member 670.
As explained herein, the flow characteristics of fluid passage 616
are adjustable with a needle valve 642 (see FIGS. 21A and 12D). As
illustrated in FIG. 14 the three portions 618, 620, 622 of fluid
passage 616 are arranged in a linear relationship. In a preferred
embodiment shown in FIGS. 12A and 12D, portions 618 and 622 are
longitudinal passages formed part way through first body portion
512 and are not aligned. Portions 618 and 622 are connected by
transverse portion 620 which is explained herein interacts with
needle valve 642.
Referring to FIGS. 12 and 12D, first body portion 512 further
includes a opening 640 sized to receive a needle valve 642. As
shown in FIG. 12D, opening 640 intersects with fluid passage 616
such that a tip 644 of needle valve 642 is positionable within a
portion of passage 616. Needle valve 642 is threadably received by
opening 640 and includes a tool engagement portion 646 for
engagement by a tool. In the illustrated embodiment, tool
engagement portion 646 is configured to be engaged by a flat
screwdriver which can be used to advance needle valve 642 into and
out of opening 640. A seal 648 is positioned on a seat 650 (see
FIG. 21A) of needle valve 642 and cooperates with opening 640 to
prevent the passage of fluid from the tip side 644 of needle valve
642 to the tool engagement side 646 of needle valve 642.
By adjusting the position of tip 644 within fluid passage 616, the
cross-sectional area of second portion 620 of fluid passage 616 may
be adjusted. As such, needle valve 642 is used to adjust the rate
at which fluid passes from first portion 618 of fluid passage 616
to third portion 622 of fluid passage 616. The cross-sectional area
effects the sensitivity of conserver 504 as explained in more
detail below.
Returning to FIG. 21A, first body portion 512 further includes an
alignment feature 634 configured to mate with an alignment feature
of flow selector 400 (such as pin 480 shown in FIG. 20). In the
illustrated embodiment, alignment feature 634 is a groove sized to
receive pin 480. Pin 480 is received in a recess (not shown) of
flow selector 400. Alignment feature 634 has two depths (see FIG.
12B), a first depth to accommodate a ridge 481 of flow selector 400
and a second depth to accommodate pin 480. The portion of alignment
feature 634 which is configured to accommodate ridge 481 is
generally circular while the portion of alignment feature 634
configured to accommodate pin 480 is generally a sector of a
circle. The sector of alignment feature 634 and pin 480 cooperate
to limit the rotation of flow selector 400.
Referring to FIG. 23A, first body portion 512 is shown assembled to
flow regulator portion 502. As shown in FIG. 21B, first portion 512
includes a first rear axial surface 660 which as explained below is
positioned adjacent a surface 778 (see FIG. 25A) of second body
portion 514 and a second rear axial surface 664 recessed from first
axial surface 660. As explained in more detail below, recess 667
(see FIGS. 21B and 23A) formed by second axial surface 664 and is
sized to receive first mode selector member 670 and second mode
selector member 672. As explained in more detail herein, first mode
selector 670 and second mode selector 672 cooperate to configure
conserver portion 504 for use in one of an intermittent mode of
operation or a continuous mode of operation.
As shown in FIG. 14, seal 600 is positioned adjacent to fluid
passage 588 and seal 612 positioned adjacent to fluid passage 616.
Returning to FIG. 23A, a recess 676 which is coaxially aligned with
fluid passage 588 is formed or otherwise created in second rear
axial surface 664. Recess 676 is sized to receive a portion of
demand piston 734 and to provide a seat for seal 600. A seal 682 is
also received in recess 676. Seal 682 along with seal 612 seals the
connection between first body portion 512 and first selector member
670.
In the illustrated embodiment, two addition recesses 677 are formed
or others tested in second axial surface 664. Recesses 667 are
sized to receive two additional seals similar to seal 612. These
two additional seals and seal 612 provide three points of contact
with a bottom surface 671 (see FIG. 32) of first selector member
670.
A seal 686 is also shown positioned with a recess 688 of first rear
axial surface 660 of first body portion 512. As best shown in FIG.
12C, a fluid passage 690 connects recess 688 with second portion
606 of fluid passage 602. Seal 686 seals the connection between
second body portion 514 and first body portion 512 around fluid
passage 690. As explained in more detail below, fluid passage 690
is utilized with third body portion 516 configured for use with a
single lumen cannula to bring fluid passage 602 and a cavity 775
into fluid communication.
Referring back to FIG. 23A, an alignment member 700 is shown along
with a detent 702. Alignment member 700 is received in an elongated
arcuate slot 704 of second mode selector 672. The movement of
second mode selector 672 in directions 706, 708 (see FIGS. 12A-24)
is limited by one of contact between alignment member 700 and an
edge of slot 704 or contact between a wall 710 of recess 667 and a
side wall 712 of second mode selector 672. The pivoting of second
mode selector 672 about alignment member 700 is minimized by the
generally concentric arrangement of surface 714 of second mode
selector 672 and outer surface 716 of first body portion 512 and/or
outer surface 774 of second body portion 514 (see FIG. 12B) and the
interaction between first mode selector 670 and second mode
selector 672.
Second mode selector member 672 further includes two opening 720,
722 each of which are concentrically aligned with detent 702
relative to passage 588. Openings 720, 722 correspond to two
preferred positions of second mode selector 672. As explained in
more detail herein, opening 720 corresponds to the selection of a
continuous mode of operation of conserver device 500 and opening
722 corresponds to the selection of an intermittent mode of
operation of conserver device 500. Second mode selector 672 further
includes a textured portion 724 configured to aid the transfer of
force from a user's hand to second mode selector 672.
First mode selector 670 includes a recess 730 having a central
opening 731. Recess 730 is sized to receive a biasing member 732
and demand piston 734. Biasing member 732 and demand piston 734 are
assembled as shown in FIG. 23B and then received by recess 730 as
shown in FIG. 24.
Referring to FIG. 23B, demand piston 734 includes a first portion
736 and a second portion 738. Second portion 738 includes a reduced
end portion 740 having a seat surface 739 configured to mate with
seal 600 as shown in FIG. 14B. in the illustrated embodiment, seat
surface 739 is spaced apart from a tip or end 741 of second portion
738. First portion 736 includes a recess sized to receive biasing
member 732 which is compressed between a surface 742 (see FIG. 14)
of demand piston 734 and a surface 744 (see FIG. 23A) of first mode
selector member 670.
Returning to FIG. 14, biasing member 732 generally biases demand
piston 734 in direction 750 such that flow passage 588 is in fluid
communication with fluid passage 602. However, biasing member 732
is compressible to permit the movement of demand piston 734 in
direction 752 such that reduced portion 740 of demand piston 734 is
sealed against seal 600. When reduced portion 740 is sealed against
seal 600, fluid passage 588 is no longer in fluid communication
with fluid passage 602. As such, by controlling the positioning of
demand piston 734 relative to seal 600, the passage of fluid from
fluid passage 588 to fluid passage 602 and hence to the patient
through cannula 503 which is attached to nipple 608 can be
controlled.
Referring to FIG. 12D, first mode selector member 670 includes a
fluid passage 760. Fluid passage 760, as shown in FIGS. 12D and 14,
is positioned to align with fluid passage 616 at least in one
orientation of first mode selector member 670. As explained in more
detail herein, fluid passage 760 aligns with fluid passage 616 when
conserver 504 is configured to operate in an intermittent mode of
operation and fluid passage 760 is not aligned with fluid passage
616 when conserver 504 is configured to operate in a continuous
mode of operation.
Referring to FIG. 23A, first mode selector member 670 includes a
recess 762 (see FIG. 32) which is configured to receive a tab 764
of second mode selector member 672. The reception of tab 674 in
recess 762 effectively couples first mode selector member 670 to
second mode selector member 672 such that a rotation of second mode
selector 672 in one of directions 706, 708 will result in a
corresponding rotation of first mode selector 670. Therefore, by
moving second mode selector 672, a user is able to cause the
rotation of first mode selector 670 and thus select either a
continuous mode of operation for conserver 504 or an intermittent
mode of operation for conserver 504 (based on the alignment or
non-alignment of fluid passage 760 with fluid passage 616). It
should be noted that the selection of the mode of operation is
independent of the selection of a fluid flow rate with flow
selector 400. However, the selection of the mode of operation can
be constrained based on the selection of a fluid flow rate with
flow selector 400 as explained herein.
Referring to FIGS. 25A and D, second body portion 514 includes a
vent fluid passage 770 which connects a front surface 772 of second
body portion 514 and a radial surface 774 of second body portion
514. A rear surface 778 of second body portion 514 includes a
recess 780 sized to receive first mode selector member 670 and a
seal 782 (see FIG. 12B) which seals the connection between second
body portion 514 and first mode selector member 670. Further, a
surface 784 of recess 780 includes a fluid channel 786 which
connects surface 784 to the front side of second body portion
514.
Referring to FIG. 25D, fluid channel 786 intersects the front side
of second body portion 514 in a raised portion 788 of second body
portion 514. Raised portion 788 includes a seat surface 790 (see
FIG. 14) which as explained in more detail below provides a seat
for a pad 792 (see FIG. 14) of a diaphragm 794 (see FIG. 14).
Referring to FIG. 28, diaphragm 794 illustratively includes a
flexible portion 796 and a support 798. Flexible portion 796
permits the movement of diaphragm 794. Support 798 provides some
rigidity to diaphragm 794 in order to provide better control over
the movement of diaphragm 794. In one embodiment, support 798 is
coupled to flexible portion 796 with adhesive. In another
embodiment, the support includes a plurality of apertures which are
sized to receive a corresponding plurality of buttons formed on the
diaphragm. The buttons each include a lip or ridge that retains the
button and thus the diaphragm relative to the support. In a further
embodiment, the flexible portion is molded over the support.
An outer portion 804 of diaphragm 794 is fixably held by second
body portion 514 and third body portion 516. Outer portion 804 is
supported by seat 806 (see FIG. 26) of second body portion 514 and
held in place due to both seat 806 of second body portion 514 and a
seat 808 (see FIG. 27A) of third body portion 516. While outer
portion 804 is held by second body portion 514 and third body
portion 516, a central portion 810 of diaphragm 794 is able to move
in directions 750, 752 (see FIG. 14) relative to outer portion 804
due to the flexible nature of diaphragm 794.
Referring to FIG. 14, central portion 810 including pad 792 is able
to move in directions 750, 752 relative to outer portion 804.
Returning to FIG. 56, third body portion 516 includes cavity 775
which permits the movement of diaphragm 794 in direction 750.
Referring to FIG. 29, third body portion 516 further includes an
aperture 818 which threadably receives an adjuster 820. Referring
to FIG. 27A, adjuster 820 includes a tool engagement portion 822
and a tapered portion 824. Tapered portion 824 is configured to
receive a first end 826 of a biasing member 828. A second end 830
of biasing member 828 contacts diaphragm 794 generally in central
portion 810. As shown, in FIG. 28, in one embodiment, second end
830 of biasing member 828 is received by a bump 832 on diaphragm
794.
Biasing member 828 is used to bias central portion 810 of diaphragm
794 in direction 752 such that pad 792 contacts seat 790 (see FIG.
14). By adjusting how far adjuster 820 is advanced into or out of
aperture 818, the amount of force exerted by biasing member 828 on
diaphragm 794 may be adjusted. Therefore, the amount of force
required to move diaphragm 794 such that pad 792 is spaced apart
from seat 790 may be adjusted.
Referring to FIG. 25D, second body portion 514 further includes a
fluid channel 771 which connects a front surface 763 of second body
portion 514 with back surface 778 of second body portion 514.
Referring to FIG. 12C, fluid channel 771 is aligned with recess 688
in first body portion 512 when second body portion 514 is assembled
to first body portion 512. As explained in more detail below, fluid
channel 771 is further aligned with a fluid channel 773 (see FIG.
27) in third body portion 516 which is in fluid communication with
cavity 775 formed between third body portion 516 and diaphragm 794
through fluid passage 777. As such, fluid passage 606 in first body
portion 512 is in fluid communication with cavity 775 through
recess 688 (first body portion 512), fluid passage 771 (second body
portion 514), fluid passage 773 (third body portion 516 and a
corresponding fluid passage in diaphragm 794), and fluid passage
777 (third body portion 516). As explained in more detail below
this fluid connection permits the inhalation of the patient and/or
the exhalation of the patient to serve as a trigger for the
operation of conserver portion 504.
It should be noted that third body portion 516 is for use with the
single lumen cannula. Also shown in FIGS. 30A and 30B is a modified
third body portion 516' for use with a dual lumen cannula. Dual
lumen third body portion 516' is generally similar to third body
portion 516. However, dual lumen third body portion 516' does not
include fluid passage 773 or fluid passage 777. A second lumen of
the dual lumen cannula is instead attached to nipple 779. A fluid
passage 783 in nipple 779 is in fluid communication with cavity 775
through fluid passage 781 in third body portion 516'. Fluid passage
781 intersects with aperture 818 below the location of adjuster
820. As such, the inhalation or exhalation of the patient is sensed
through the second lumen of the cannula attached to nipple 779 as
opposed to through the first lumen and the plurality of fluid
passages including fluid passages 773 and 777.
With reference to FIGS. 13, 14, and 14A-D, conserver 500 with the
single lumen conserver 502 operates in the following manner. A
source of pressurized fluid 522 is coupled to conserver 500 as
explained above delivering pressurized fluid ultimately to passages
546, 547, 548 of pressure reduction section 170. Single lumen
cannula 503 is coupled to nipple 608. Single lumen cannula 503 is
further coupled to a patient. As is well understood in the art,
single lumen cannula 503 is configured to provide fluid, such as
oxygen, to the patient to aid in breathing.
Fluid from the pressurized source enters fluid passage 528 and
passes through fluid passage 546 of pressure reduction section 170.
Pressure reduction section 170 provides fluid through fluid
passages 547 and 548 at a reduced lower pressure than the pressure
of fluid entering pressure reduction section 170 from the source of
pressurized fluid 522. As mentioned above fluid passages 547 and
548 communicate fluid to the currently aligned passage 416 of flow
selector 400 and passage 221 of axle 220', respectively.
Conserver portion 504, as shown in FIGS. 14A-C, is operating in the
intermittent mode of operation. As such, conserver 504 provides
spaced apart pulses of fluid to a patient through cannula 503 which
is coupled to nipple 608. The timing of the pulses and the duration
of the pulses are controlled by a pneumatic controller comprised
generally of demand piston 734. The inputs to the pneumatic
controller are discussed below. Conserver portion 504, as shown in
FIG. 14D, is operating in a continuous mode of operation wherein a
continuous flow of fluid is provided to the patient through cannula
503.
Returning to FIGS. 14A-C, the operation of the pneumatic controller
in the intermittent mode of operation is further explained. As
discussed herein, the currently aligned passage 416 of flow
selector 400 is configured to provide a metered or calibrated
restricted flow of fluid, typically in the range of about 0.5
liters per minute to about 5 liters per minute. Fluid exiting
passage 416 is passed into passage 588 of first body portion 512.
Passage 588 intersects with and is in fluid communication with
passage 602 in first body portion 512 unless demand piston 734
blocks the passage of fluid from fluid passage 588 to fluid passage
602. Passage 602 is operably coupled to a nipple 608 which in turn
is coupled to single lumen cannula 503 for delivery of fluid to the
patient.
FIG. 14A illustrates a startup orientation for conserver portion
504 or the orientation of conserver portion 504 subsequent to the
venting of fluid as shown in FIG. 14C. FIG. 14B illustrates the
blockage of the flow of fluid from fluid passage 588 to fluid
passage 602 by demand piston 734 hence conserving fluid. FIG. 14C
illustrates the venting of fluid thereby causing demand piston 734
to be moved such that fluid passes from fluid passage 588 to fluid
passage 602.
Returning to FIG. 14A, in the absence of any obstruction, fluid
passes from the currently aligned fluid passage 416, to fluid
passage 588, to fluid passage 602, and onto the patient through
cannula 503. However, reduced portion 740 of demand piston 734 is
configured to seal against seal 600 to block the flow of fluid from
fluid passage 588 to fluid passage 602 (as shown in FIG. 14B). As
explained above, demand piston 734 is biased in direction 750 by
biasing member 732 such that reduced portion 740 is spaced apart
from seal 600 and fluid passage 588 is in fluid communication with
fluid passage 602 (as shown in FIG. 14A). As such, in order to
block the flow of fluid from fluid passage 588 to fluid passage
602, demand piston 734 must be moved in direction 752 against the
bias of biasing member 732.
The movement of demand position 734 in direction 752 is the result
of a build-up of fluid pressure on a back side 735 of demand piston
734 as illustrated in FIG. 14B. Fluid is delivered to back side 735
of demand piston 734 through passage 221 of axle 220'. Passage 221
is in fluid communication with passage 616 of first body portion
512 which in turn is in communication with passage 760 in first
mode selector 670. It should be noted that if conserver 504 was
operating in a continuous mode of operation as illustrated in FIG.
14D, passage 760 would not be aligned with passage 616 and hence
fluid would not be delivered to the back side 735 of demand piston
734. As such, demand piston 734 would be biased in direction 750 by
biasing member 732 and fluid passage 602 would be in continuous
fluid communication with fluid passage 588.
Returning to the intermittent mode of operation and FIG. 14A, first
mode selector 670 and second body portion 514 cooperate to define a
cavity 737 proximate to back side 735 of demand piston 734. It
should be understood that the pressure of fluid passing through
passages 221, 616 and 760 is at a higher pressure than the fluid in
passage 588. As such, over time a higher pressure is built up on
back side 735 of demand piston 734 and demand piston 734 is moved
against the biasing of biasing member 732 in direction 752
resulting in reduced portion 740 sealing against seal 600 such that
fluid passage 602 is no longer in fluid communication with fluid
passage 588 as illustrated in FIG. 14B.
Reduced portion 740 of demand piston 734 would remain sealed
against seal 600 if the higher pressure on back side 735 of demand
piston 734 is not relieved. In the illustrated embodiment, the
pressure on the back side of 735 is relieved by the permitting of
fluid to flow through passage 786 in second body portion 514,
through a cavity 787 formed by second body portion 514 and
diaphragm 794 and ultimately through vent passage 770 in second
body portion 514 to atmosphere as illustrated in FIG. 14C. Once the
pressure adjacent back side 735 is relieved, demand piston 734
moves in direction 750 due to the biasing of biasing member 732
resulting in fluid passage 602 again being in fluid communication
with fluid passage 588 as illustrated in FIG. 14C.
Central portion 810 of diaphragm 794 is moveable generally in
direction 750 from a first position wherein pad 792 is sealed
against seat 790 to a second position wherein pad 792 is spaced
apart from seat 790 of second body portion 514. When diaphragm 794
is in the first position (see FIGS. 14A and 14B) fluid is prevented
or restricted from passing from passage 786 into cavity 787. When
diaphragm 794 is in the second position, fluid is permitted to pass
from passage 786 into cavity 787 (see FIG. 14C).
Diaphragm 794 is biased in direction 752 (in the first position) by
a biasing member 826. As such, diaphragm 794 typically prevents the
passage of fluid from passage 786 to cavity 787. However, if the
force of biasing member 826 is reduced, then the pressure buildup
in fluid passage 786 causes central portion 810 of diaphragm 794 to
move in direction 750, thereby permitting fluid to pass from fluid
passage 786 into cavity 787 and ultimately to atmosphere.
In one embodiment, the force exerted by biasing member 826 is set
such that diaphragm 794 is not moveable in direction 750 solely due
to the build-up of pressure on backside 735 of demand piston 734.
In this embodiment, conserver 500 requires a trigger to initiate
the intermittent flow of fluid to the patient through the single
lumen cannula.
In the illustrated embodiment, the trigger is the inhalation of the
patient. When the patient inhales, the pressure in cannula 503 is
reduced. The reduction in pressure in cannula 503 is communicated
to cavity 775 formed by third body portion 516 and diaphragm 794
through the connection of fluid passages 690 (in first body portion
512), 688 (in first body portion 512), 771 (in second body portion
514), 773 (in third body portion 516), and 777 (in third body
portion 516) as shown in FIG. 12C. When dual lumen third body
portion 516' is used, the reduction in pressure in the cannula is
communicated to cavity 775 through the second lumen attached to
nipple 779. The reduction in pressure in cavity 775 aids in the
ability to move diaphragm 794 in direction 750 because the
reduction in pressure effectively reduces or negates at least a
portion of the force exerted by biasing member 826. Further, the
combination of the reduction in pressure in cavity 775 and the
buildup of pressure on the backside 735 of demand piston 734
overcomes the force of biasing member 826 resulting in diaphragm
794 moving in direction 750 (see FIG. 14C).
Therefore, as the patient inhales central portion 810 of diaphragm
794 is moved in direction 750 against the bias of biasing member
826 due to the buildup of pressure on backside 735 of demand piston
734 and the reduction of pressure in cavity 775 due to the patient
inhaling as illustrated in FIG. 14C. Once the seal between pad 792
of diaphragm 794 and seat 790 is lost, the fluid at backside 735 of
demand piston 734 is communicated to atmosphere. As the pressure in
cavity 737 corresponding to back side 735 decreases, demand piston
734 is moved in direction 750 such that reduced portion 740 is
spaced apart from seal 600 and pad 792 of diaphragm 794 returns to
seal against seat 790 (see FIG. 14A). The pressure again builds up
on backside 735 of demand piston 734 until demand piston 734 is
again moved in direction 752 (see FIG. 14B). The further building
of pressure in cavity 737 along with the continued reduction in
pressure in cavity 775 results in diaphragm 794 and demand piston
734 being once again moved in direction 750 providing a second
pulse of fluid (see FIG. 14C). The above cycle is repeated again as
long as the pressure in cavity 775 is reduced due to the inhalation
of the patient.
Once the patient stops or significantly reduces inhaling and/or is
exhaling, the pressure reduction in cavity 775 is lost and/or the
pressure in cavity 775 is increased and the force of biasing member
826 is able to completely overpower the force of the pressure
buildup on backside 735 in cavity 737. As such, the absence or
significant reduction of inhalation and/or the presence of
exhalation provides a second trigger to cease the intermittent
production of pulses of fluid. The number of pulses of fluid and
spacing of the pulses is in part dependent on the breath length and
breath depth of the patient.
In one example, the controller inputs or variables discussed herein
are set such that two pulses are provided during an exemplary
inhalation of a patient. In another example, about 6 to about 10
pulses of fluid are provided during an exemplary inhalation of a
patient. In a further example, about 2 to about 10 pulses of fluid
are provided during an exemplary inhalation of a patient. In still
a further example, about 8 to about 9 pulses of fluid are provided
during an exemplary inhalation of a patient.
Referring to FIG. 15, the flow of fluid from passage 588 to passage
602 is represented by curve 970 and an exemplary curve 792 of the
pressure in cavity 775 is shown. Curve 792 is generally shaped like
a breath curve for a patient due to the fact that cavity 775 is in
fluid communication with fluid passage 602 and cannula 503. The
overall shape of curve 970 is generally sinusoidal. Illustratively,
curve 970 includes seven pulses of fluid 971A-G as shown in FIG.
15. The earlier pulses 971A and 971B generally provide a larger
flow rate of fluid due to the pressure buildup in fluid passage
588. The latter pulses 971E-G exhibit a generally constant flow
rate of fluid from pulse to pulse. As such, the fluid flow to
cannula 503 is somewhat front loaded to the beginning of an
inhalation cycle of the patient. Also, as shown in FIG. 15, the
spacing between the latter pulses 971f and 971g is greater than the
spacing between the earlier pulses 971A and 971B due at least in
part to the return of the pressure in cavity 775 towards the
baseline pressure near the end of the inhalation of the
patient.
The amount of fluid communicated to cannula 503 in pulses 971A-G
generally corresponds to the metered or calibrated flow of fluid
specified by flow setting of conserver 500 assuming that the
patient is taking an expected average number of breathes each
minute and that each breath has a generally constant length and
depth. However, conserver 500 is configured to provide fluid to the
patient for every breath and multiple pulses for each breath. As
such, a patient which is in a period of activity, such as walking,
will likely take more breathes per minute and potentially deeper
and/or different length breathes. In such situations, conserver 500
provides a specified amount of fluid to the patient that exceeds
the flow setting. Alternatively, if the patient is in a period of
inactivity, the patient will likely take fewer breathes per minute
and potentially shallower and/or different length breathes. In such
situations, conserver 500 provides a specified amount of fluid to
the patient that is less than the flow setting. As such, conserver
500 is configured to provide a specified amount of fluid to a
patient corresponding to a flow setting for times when the patient
is experiencing average breathing characteristics and to adapt to
the breathing pattern of the patient for other times, such as
activity.
The spacing of the pulses and the widths of the pulses are
controlled by varying one or more of the controller inputs
discussed herein. In one example, the controller inputs are set
such that at least two pulses of fluid are provided for an
exemplary inhalation cycle of a patient.
Referring to FIG. 15A, a comparison was performed between conserver
500 as shown herein and embodied as the Flo-Rite.TM. conserver
available from Ameriflo Corporation located at 478 Gradle Drive,
Carmel, Ind. 46032, the EasyPulse5 conserving regulator available
from Precision Medical located at 300 Held Drive, Northampton, Pa.
18067, and the Cypress OXYPneumatic.RTM. conserver, Model 511,
available from Chad Therapeutics located at 21622 Plummer Street,
Chatsworth, Calif. 91311. Each device was connected to a mechanical
simulator to simulate patient breathing. Each device was tested
with the simulated breath curve 980 including three breaths 982a,
982b, and 982c. The EasyPulse5 device gave a single pulse of fluid
984a, 984b, and 984c at the beginning of the respective breaths
982a, 982b, and 982c. The Cypress OXYPneumatic.RTM. device gave a
single pulse of fluid 986a, 986b, and 986c for respective breath
982a, 982b, and 982c. Both the EasyPulse5 device and the Cypress
OXYPneumatic.RTM. device provided a second pulse at the end of
breath 982c. Such a second single large pulse is very uncomfortable
for the patient. In addition the Cypress OXYPneumatic.RTM. device
gave a large percentage of pulse 986b outside of the timeframe of
the simulated inhale associated with breath 982b.
In contrast to the EasyPulse5 and Cypress OXYPneumatic.RTM.
devices, the Flo-Rite.TM. device provides intended multiple pulses
988a (five pulses), 988b (three pulses), and 988c (eleven pulses)
during the inhalation associated with each breath 982 and did not
provide pulses 988 outside of the respective inhalation of each
breath 982. As such, the patient is not subjected to a large pulse
while they are trying to exhale. The overall shape of pulses 988
are generally sinusoidal. The multiple pulses of each pulse set
988, in one embodiment, may be considered a high frequency
oscillator output.
Further, the multiple pulses 988a, 988b, and 988c of the
Flo-Rite.TM. device are generally loaded towards the beginning of
the inhalation cycle of each breath 982 as exemplified by the
larger amplitudes of the initial pulses of each pulse set 988a,
988b, and 988c. Further, the Flo-Rite.TM. device is able to provide
additional fluid for longer breathes, such as breath 982c, and to
provide less fluid for shorter breathes, such as breath 982b. As
such, the Flo-Rite.TM. device is able to adapt to changes in the
fluid needs of the patient, such as when the patient is active.
By giving additional pulses when the patient breath length or depth
increases, the Flo-Rite.TM. device is able to reduce the oxygen
saturation recovery times for patients using the Flo-Rite.TM.
device. In one example, the recovery time of a patient with the
Flo-Rite.TM. device was less than about one minute, preferably
about one-half of a minute. In another example, the recovery time
was about 35 seconds.
Further, the Flo-Rite.TM. device provides multiple pulses
throughout the inhalation cycle of breath 982. The multiple pulses
reduces fluid flow reversion and/or reflective losses because the
multiple pulses are easier on the body. Also, the multiple pulses
reduces the likelihood of lung over-distension and improves patient
comfort.
The pneumatic controller of the present invention includes a valve
assembly in communication with a fluid passage of the body as
discussed above. The pneumatic controller is configured to detect
an inhalation of the patient and to provide a series of at least
two pulses of the fluid 988a, 988b, and 988c to the output during
the inhalation of the patient. The pneumatic controller provides an
initial pulse having a fluid amplitude greater than a fluid
amplitude of subsequent pulses in the series of at least two pulses
without the aid of a fluid reservoir separate from the fluid
passage of the body.
The present invention includes a needle control valve 642 in
portion 620 of fluid passage 616 which adjusts the flow of fluid
from fluid outlet passage 618 to the third portion 622 of fluid
passage 616. This permits an oscillation frequency of the
sinusoidal fluid pulses to be varied by adjusting the needle valve
642.
In another embodiment, the force on biasing member 826 is set low
enough that the pressure build-up on back side 735 of demand piston
734 alone can move diaphragm 794 in direction 750. In this
embodiment, conserver 500 is able to provide intermittent pulses of
fluid to a patient independent of the breathing force of the
patient. Such a configuration may provide extra safety in certain
environments, such as pediatric environments or with a patient who
is capable of only very shallow breathes which result in minimal
pressure reduction in cavity 775.
In still a further embodiment, the force on biasing member 826 is
set such that a slight pressure reduction in cavity 775 along with
the pressure build-up on back side 735 of demand piston 734
together can move diaphragm 794 in direction 750. As such,
conserver 500 still uses a trigger from the breath of the patient,
but only requires a minimal amount of pressure reduction for
increased safety for certain environments, such as pediatric
environments or with a patient who is capable of only very shallow
breathes which result in minimal pressure reduction in cavity 775.
In one example, the pressure reduction in cavity 775 must be at
least about 0.15 cm of water. In another example, the pressure
reduction in cavity 775 must be at least about 0.25 cm of water. In
yet another example, the pressure reduction in cavity 775 must be
at least about 0.35 cm of water.
The pneumatic controller has several inputs or variables each of
which has an effect on the timing of the pulses and the duration of
the pulses. Primary inputs include the stiffness of biasing member
732, the stiffness of biasing member 826, the stiffness of
diaphragm 794, the rate of fluid flow through fluid passages 221
(axle), 616 (first body portion), and 760 (first selector member),
the flow rate of fluid through fluid passage 416 (flow selector)
and 588 (first body portion), and the size of cavity 737 on the
backside of the demand piston.
The values of at least some of these primary inputs are adjustable
by a user to calibrate conserver 500, thereby providing variable
inputs to the controller. For instance, the effective stiffness of
biasing member 826 can be adjusted by further movement of adjuster
820 in one of directions 750 and 752. Further, the flow rate of
fluid in fluid passage 616 and hence in fluid passage 760 may be
adjusted by adjusting the position of tip 644 of needle control
valve 642 in portion 620 of fluid passage 616. Although these
inputs may be available to an end user, such as a caregiver, in one
embodiment these inputs are not readily available to an end
user.
Typically, an end user or caregiver user has two main variable
inputs to the pneumatic controller. First, the selection of flow
rate to passage 588 by rotating flow selector 400 to select a fluid
passage 416 of flow selector 400. By increasing the flow rate by
selecting a fluid passage having a higher fluid flow rate, the
pneumatic controller will decrease the spacing between pulses
(increase the frequency of the pulses) and/or increase the
amplitude of each pulse. Conversely, by decreasing the flow rate by
selecting a fluid passage having a lower fluid flow rate, the
pneumatic controller will increase the spacing between pulses
(decrease the frequency of the pulses) and/or decrease the
amplitude of each pulse.
Second, the selection of whether to operate in a continuous mode of
operation or an intermittent mode of operation by the rotation of
second selector member 672. The intermittent mode of operation of
conserver 504 is described herein with reference to FIGS. 14A-C and
in a dual lumen embodiment, with reference to FIG. 30A. The
continuous mode of operation of conserver 504 is described herein
with reference to FIG. 14D. When second selector member 672 is
moved to select a continuous mode of operation, first selector
member 670 is rotated such that passage 760 is no longer in line
with passage 616 of first body portion 512. As such, fluid cannot
reach the back side 735 of demand piston 734 from fluid passage
616. Thus, biasing member 732 moves demand piston 734 in direction
750 which brings fluid passage 602 into fluid communication with
fluid passage 588. Since, demand piston 734 is not moved in
direction 752 due to a buildup of pressure on the backside of
demand piston 734, the flow of fluid into passage 602 is
continuous.
In an alternative embodiment, the pneumatic controller is replaced
with an electronic controller which includes a processor with
software or firmware configured to control the timing of the pulses
and the duration of each pulse. The electronic controller still can
use a trigger, such as a detection of the inhalation of the patient
to start the intermittent flow of fluid and/or the detection of the
absence of inhalation and/or the presence of exhalation of the
patient to stop the intermittent flow of fluid.
In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-30, conserver 500
is able to operate in either an intermittent mode of operation or a
continuous mode of operation for any of the selected fluid passages
416 of flow selector 400 because the flow selector 400 operates
independent of first mode selector 670 and second mode selector 672
of the continuous or intermittent selector. By having the
continuous or intermittent selector operate independent of flow
selector 400, a low continuous flow, such as a flow corresponding
to fluid passage 416a may be implemented without the need to
subject a patient to higher flow rates in order to select a
continuous flow.
However, in some embodiments it is not desirable to provide a
continuous flow of fluid to a patient at certain flow rates,
particularly higher flow rates. Referring to FIGS. 31-34, various
components of conserver 500 are modified such that the ability to
select continuous or intermittent modes of operation with the
continuous or intermittent selector and/or flow rates with flow
selector 400 is dependent on the current selection of the other of
the continuous or intermittent selector and flow selector 400.
The modified conserver 500 includes an interlock 900 which connects
flow selector 400 with one of first mode selector 670 and second
mode selector 672 of the continuous or intermittent selector.
Interlock 900 prevents the selection of a continuous mode of
operation with the continuous or intermittent selector 670, 672 for
one or more selections of fluid passages 416 of flow selector 400
and further prevents the selection of one or more selections of
flow selector 400 while the continuous or intermittent selector
670, 672 is in the continuous mode of operation. It should be
appreciated that interlock 900 may also be configured to prevent
the selection of one or more flow selections when continuous or
intermittent selector 670, 672 is in the intermittent mode of
operation and/or the selection of the intermittent mode of
operation for one or more flow selections of flow selector 400.
Referring to FIG. 31, a modified second body portion 512' includes
a cavity or opening 902 which extends from axial surface 664 of
recess 667 through to alignment feature 634 (see FIG. 33) of
modified second body portion 512'. A coupler 904 is positioned
within cavity 902 and is able to move within cavity 902 such that
an engagement surface 906 of coupler 904 is able to protrude out
from surface 664 and into alignment feature 634. In one embodiment,
coupler 904 is a pin having rounded ends. In another embodiment,
coupler 904 is a plurality of spherical balls positioned in cavity
902, such as two spherical balls.
Referring to FIG. 32, a modified first mode selector member 670' is
shown. First mode selector 670' includes a recess 908 having an
engagement surface 910. Recess 908 is sized to receive a portion of
coupler 904 such that engagement surface 906 of coupler 904 can
engage engagement surface 910 of first selector 670'. When coupler
904 is received by recess 908 and coupler 904 is prevented from
egressing from recess 908, first mode selector member 670' is
unable to move relative to second body portion 512'. As such, a
user is unable to impart a rotation to second mode selector 672
causing the rotation of first mode selector 670'.
In the illustrated embodiment, recess 908 is positioned such that
coupler 904 is received by recess 908 when continuous or
intermittent selector is in the intermittent mode of operation.
When continuous or intermittent selector is in the continuous mode
of operation coupler 904 and recess 908 are not aligned and hence
coupler 904 cannot advance into recess 908.
Referring to FIG. 34, a modified flow selector 400' is shown. Flow
selector 400' includes a recess 914 having an engagement surface
916. Flow selector 400' further includes a top surface 918 of ridge
481. Recess 914 is sized to receive a portion of coupler 904 such
that engagement surface 906 of coupler 904 can engage engagement
surface 916 of flow selector 400'. When coupler 904 is received by
recess 914 and coupler 904 is prevented from egressing out of
recess 914, the movement of flow selector 400' is further limited.
Illustratively, flow selector 400' can only be moved to align
adjacent fluid passages 416a and 416b with fluid passage 547 when
coupler 904 is received by recess 914. As such, a user is unable to
impart a rotation to flow selector 400' to select another fluid
passage besides, fluid passages 416a and 416b. In one embodiment,
recess 914 is sized to only permit the alignment of a single fluid
passage 416. In another embodiment, recess 914 is sized to permit
the alignment of multiple spaced apart fluid passages 416 while
blocking the selection of at least one intervening fluid passage
416.
In the illustrated embodiment, recess 914 is positioned such that
coupler 904 is received by recess 914 when flow selector 400' is
oriented such that one of fluid passages 416A and 416B are aligned
with fluid passage 547. When flow selector 400' is oriented such
that one fluid passages 416C-416F are aligned with fluid passage
547 coupler 904 and recess 914 are not aligned and hence coupler
904 cannot advance into recess 914.
The operation of interlock 900 is explained below with the aid of
four examples. In a first example, flow selector 400' is oriented
such that fluid passage 416b is aligned with fluid passage 547 and
first mode selector 670' of continuous or intermittent selector is
in the orientation corresponding to the intermittent mode of
operation. In this first example, a user desires to change
conserver 500' to a continuous flow and to maintain fluid passage
416B in alignment with fluid passage 547 which is a change
permitted by interlock 900. As such, a user imparts a rotation to
second mode selector 672 which in turn imparts a rotation to first
mode selector 670'.
It should be noted that when first selector 670' is oriented in the
intermittent mode of operation, recess 908 and coupler 904 are
aligned. In order for first selector 670' to be rotated to the
orientation corresponding to the continuous mode of operation,
coupler 904 must be egressed out of recess 908. However, coupler
904 can only be egressed out of recess 908 when recess 914 of flow
selector 400' is aligned with coupler 904. If recess 914 and
coupler 904 are not aligned, coupler 904 contacts surface 918 which
prevents the egression of coupler 904 from recess 908.
However, in the example given coupler 904 and recess 914 are
aligned. As such, the rotation imparted to first mode selector 670'
results in coupler 904 being egressed out of recess 908 such that
engagement surface 906 of coupler 904 is now in contact with
surface 671 of first selector 670' and is advanced into recess 914
of flow selector 400'.
In a second example, flow selector 400' is oriented such that fluid
passage 416D is aligned with fluid passage 547 and first mode
selector 670' of continuous or intermittent selector is in the
orientation corresponding to the intermittent mode of operation. In
this second example, a user desires to change conserver 500' to a
continuous flow and to maintain fluid passage 416D in alignment
with fluid passage 547 which is a change prohibited by interlock
900.
The user attempts to impart a rotation to second mode selector 672
which in turn would result in a rotation of first mode selector
670'. However, since flow selector 400' is oriented such that fluid
passage 416d is aligned with fluid passage 547 recess 914 and
coupler 904 are not aligned and coupler 904 is prevented from
advancing into recess 914, but rather contacts surface 918.
Therefore, coupler 904 cannot be egressed out of recess 908 and
first selector 670' cannot be rotated relative to second body
portion 512'. The end result being that conserver 500' cannot be
changed to a continuous mode of operation in this example.
In a third example, flow selector 400' is oriented such that fluid
passage 416A is aligned with fluid passage 547 and first selector
670' of continuous or intermittent selector is in the orientation
corresponding to the intermittent mode of operation. In this third
example, a user desires to change conserver 500' such that it is
still in an intermittent mode of operation and to place fluid
passage 416D in alignment with fluid passage 547 which is a change
permitted by interlock 900.
The user rotates flow selector 400' to orient fluid passage 416D
with fluid passage 547. Coupler 904 must egress from recess 914 in
order for flow selector 400' to be so oriented. Since conserver
500' is in the intermittent mode of operation, recess 908 in first
mode selector 670' is aligned with coupler 904 and coupler 904 can
be advanced into recess 908 as it is being egressed from recess
914.
In a fourth example, flow selector 400' is oriented such that fluid
passage 416A is aligned with fluid passage 547 and first mode
selector 670' of continuous or intermittent selector is in the
orientation corresponding to the continuous mode of operation. In
this third example, a user desires to change conserver 500' such
that it is still in a continuous mode of operation and to place
fluid passage 416D in alignment with fluid passage 547 which is a
change prohibited by interlock 900.
The user attempts to rotate flow selector 400' to orient fluid
passage 416D with fluid passage 547. Coupler 904 must egress from
recess 914 in order for flow selector 400' to be so oriented. Since
conserver 500' is in the continuous mode of operation, recess 908
in first mode selector 670' is not aligned with coupler 904 and
coupler 904 cannot be advanced into recess 908 as it is attempting
to be egressed from recess 914. Therefore, the user is unable to
rotate flow selector 400' such that fluid passage 416D is aligned
with fluid passage 547.
As explained herein, conserver 500 provides multiple pulses of
fluid per breath of the patient. Conserver 500 may also be
configured to provide a single pulse of fluid to the patient per
breath. In one embodiment, the single pulse generally corresponds
to the inhalation portion of the patient's breathing cycle. In one
example the length of the pulse is about 150-200 mSec. The length
of the pulse may be adjusted over a narrow range with the setting
of the needle valve. To set conserver 500 to provide multiple
pulses of fluid per breath needle valve 642 is positioned within
fluid passage 616 to permit about 500 cc/min to about 750 cc/min
flow through fluid passage 616. To set conserver 500 to provide a
single pulse of fluid per breath needle valve 642 is positioned
within fluid passage 616 to permit about 30 cc/min to about 50
cc/min, to about 100 cc/min, to about 150 cc/min, to about 250
cc/min.
Referring to FIGS. 35-51, a conserver 1000 is illustrated.
Conserver 1000 is generally similar to conserver 500 and like
conserver 500 may be configured to operate in a continuous mode of
operation or an intermittent mode of operation. During the
intermittent mode of operation conserver 1000 may provide a single
pulse of fluid to a patient during the inhalation phase of the
patient or may provide multiple pulses of fluid to a patient during
the inhalation phase of the patient. The above discussion related
to conserver 500 is equally applicable to the discussion of
conserver 1000 including the portions related to the sensing of the
inhalation and/or exhalation of the patient.
Referring to FIG. 35, conserver 1000 includes a first body portion
510' which is generally identical to first body portion 510 of
conserver 500. First body portion 510' includes an identical fluid
inlet 531 and pressure reduction section 170. Further, body portion
510' of conserver 1000 includes a yoke 520 which cooperates with a
retainer 527 to couple body portion 510' to a source of pressurized
fluid.
Referring to FIG. 37, pressure reduction section 170 is secured to
body portion 510' with a retainer 544. Axle 220' is coupled to
housing 178 of pressure reduction section 170. As explained below,
the fluid passage through axle 220' provides fluid to a backside of
demand piston 734 in a similar manner as in conserver 500. This
pressure, as in conserver 500, as long as not vented is used to
move demand piston 734 towards seal 600 to shut off the flow of
fluid to cannula 503.
As explained above in connection with conserver 500, fluid passage
547 communicates fluid to the fluid passage 416 of flow selector
400 aligned with fluid passage 547. As explained above in
connection in with FIG. 14, seal 560 and two additional seals 560,
561 assist to prevent or minimize the escape of fluid as fluid
passes from fluid passage 547 in pressure reduction section 170
into fluid passage 416 of flow selector 400.
Referring FIGS. 37 and 38, body member 510' includes a recess 1002
in an axial surface 1004 of body member 510'. A seal 1006 is placed
in recess 1002. Further, as shown in FIG. 38 a support 1008 is
positioned on top of seal 1006. In one embodiment, support 1008 is
a disc spacer piece made of a polymeric material, such as Teflon or
Kel-F. Support 1008 and seals 560 and 561 each contact a rear
surface 441 of flow selector 400 when flow selector 400 is
assembled to axle 220' as generally shown in FIG. 51. Support 1008
assists in balancing flow selector 400 and keeping seals 560, 561
in constant contact with rear surface 441 of flow selector 400.
Referring to FIGS. 39-41, a flow selector 1010 is shown. Flow
selector 1010 is generally similar to flow selector 400. Flow
selector 1010 includes a plurality of fluid passages 1012A-F each
extending from a first side 1014 of flow selector 1010 to a second
side 1016 of flow selector 1010. Fluid passages 1012A-F each are
configured to pass a predetermined flow rate of fluid. Several
methods of configuring fluid passages to pass predetermined flow
rate of fluid are described herein and may be used with flow
selector 1010. In one embodiment, fluid passages 1012A-F each
include an flow calibrator, such as an occluder (not shown), which
is introduced from a radial surface (not shown) of an inner
component 1018 similar to flow selector 400. Flow selector 1010,
like flow selector 400, includes both an inner component 1018 and
an outer component or knob 1020.
Flow selector 1010 further includes a central passage 1022 which
receives axle 220'. Referring to FIG. 40, second side 1016 of flow
selector 1010 includes a plurality of recesses 1024 sized to
receive a detent 554 (see FIGS. 19 and 37). Recesses 1024 cooperate
with detent 554 to align respective flow passages 1012 in flow
selector 1010 with flow passage 547 in pressure reduction section
170 and to provide a positive indication to the user of such
alignment. Referring to FIG. 19, detent 554 is a spherical ball
which is at least partially received in a recess 556 of housing 178
of pressure reduction section 170. Detent 554 is sized to cooperate
with recesses 1024 in flow selection 1010.
Flow selector 1010 further includes a fluid passage 1030 which as
explained below is a vent passage which is aligned with a passage
1032 in first body portion 1034 of conserver portion 1036.
Referring to FIG. 35, conserver portion 1036 including a first body
portion 1034, a second body portion 514' which is generally
identical to second body portion 514 of conserver 500, and a third
body portion 516'' which is generally identical to third body
portion 516 of conserver 500. Third body portion 516'' differs in
the external profile of body portion 516'.
Returning to FIGS. 39 and 40, outer component 1020 of flow selector
1010 includes a plurality of indicia portions 1040A-G and a knurled
outer surface 1042. Knurled outer surface 1042 assists a user in
gripping flow selector 1010 to impart a rotation to flow selector
1010. Indicia portions 1040A-G provide a visual indication to the
user of which fluid passage 1012 is aligned with fluid passage 547
in pressure reduction section 170 or in the case of indicia portion
1040A (as shown in FIG. 36) that none of fluid passages 1012 are
aligned with fluid passage 547 in pressure reduction section 170.
Knob 1020 is generally about fifty percent as thick as the knob of
flow selector 400.
In the illustrated embodiment, indicia portion 1040A corresponds to
an off setting, indicia portion 1040B corresponds to a continuous
setting whereby as explained herein fluid is provided to the
cannula 503 on a continuous basis, and indicia portions 1040C-G
correspond to a plurality of intermittent settings wherein each one
provides a predetermined amount of fluid to cannula 503 during an
inhalation of the patient.
Referring to FIG. 41, flow selector 1010 is coupled to body portion
510' with retainer 564 coupled to axle 220'. Seal 562 is placed
over retainer 564 and axle 220'. Outer component 1020 of flow
selector 1010 includes a recess 1050 having a first end 1052 and a
second end 1054. Recess 1050 further includes a cam surface 1056
which as explained below positions a valve 1070 which controls the
operation of conserver 1000 in either a continuous mode of
operation or an intermittent mode of operation.
Referring to FIG. 42, cam surface 1056 includes a first elevation
1058 which generally corresponds to a continuous mode of operation
a second elevation 1060 which generally corresponds to an
intermittent mode of operation and a transitional surface 1062
connecting first elevation 1058 and second elevation 1060. A head
portion 1072 (see FIG. 48) of valve 1070 is generally received in
recess 1050, rides along cam surface 1056, and interacts with first
end 1052 and second end 1054 to limit the rotation of flow selector
1010.
Referring to FIGS. 43A and 43B, a first side 1080 of body portion
1034 is shown. Referring to FIGS. 44A and 44B, a second side 1082
of body portion 1034 is shown. Referring to FIGS. 43A and 43B,
first side 1080 includes a fluid passage 1084 which is aligned to
be in fluid communication with the selected fluid passage 1012 of
flow selector 1010 and with demand piston 734 which is received in
a recess 1085 on second side 1082 of body portion 1034 (see FIG.
44A). Similar to fluid passage 588 of conserver 500 which is in
fluid communication with fluid passage 602 when demand piston 734
is spaced apart from seal 600 (see FIG. 14A), fluid passage 1084 is
in fluid communication with fluid passage 1086 (see FIG. 51) when
demand piston 734 is spaced apart from seal 600 (see FIG. 51).
Fluid passage 1086 is in fluid communication with cannula 503
through nipple 608.
Body portion 1034 further includes a fluid passage 1090 which is in
fluid communication with the fluid passage 221 of axle 220' when
body portion 1034 is assembled to body portion 510'. Fluid passage
1090 is in fluid communication with an internal fluid passage 1092
which is in fluid communication with another fluid passage 1094.
The rate at which fluid flows from fluid passage 1090 through fluid
passage 1092 to fluid passage 1094 is controlled by a position of
needle valve 642 which is threadably received in a recess 1096 in
body portion 1034. As explained above, by adjusting how far a tip
portion 644 of needle valve 642 is advanced into fluid passage 1092
for conserver 1000 or fluid passage 616 of conserver 500, the
cross-sectional area of the respective fluid passage 1092 and fluid
passage 616 may be adjusted. As such, needle valve 642 may be used
to adjust the rate at which fluid passes from fluid passage 1090 to
fluid passage 1094.
As explained herein, the cross-sectional area of fluid passage 1092
for conserver 1000 and fluid passage 616 for conserver 500 effects
the sensitivity of the respective conserver 1000 and conserver 500.
For instance, needle valve 642 may be positioned within fluid
passage 616 or fluid passage 1092 to permit about 500 cc/min to
about 750 cc/min flow of fluid through fluid passage 616 or fluid
passage 1092. At this setting conserver 500 or conserver 1000 will
provide multiple pulses of fluid per inhalation by the patient.
Conserver 500 or conserver 1000 may be set to provide a single
pulse of fluid per breath by positioning needle valve 642 within
fluid passage 616 or fluid passage 1092 to permit about 30 cc/min
to about 50 cc/min, to about 100 cc/min, to about 150 cc/min, to
about 250 cc/min.
As mentioned above in connection with conserver 500, the fluid
passing by needle valve 642 accumulates in a cavity 737 on the
backside of piston 734. The accumulation of fluid on the backside
of piston 734 causes piston 734 to move towards seal 600 against
the bias of biasing member 732 resulting eventually in fluid
passage 588 no longer being in fluid communication with fluid
passage 602. The same effect is created by body portion 1034 and
body portion 514'.
Referring to FIG. 45, fluid passage 1094 intersects with a fluid
passage or channel 1100 in a protruding portion 1102 of body
portion 1034. Protruding portion 1102 is shown as being generally
rectangular with rounded corners. However, protruding portion 1102
may be any suitable shape such as circular or oval. Fluid passage
1100 permits fluid to pass from fluid passage 1094 to cavity 737 of
piston 734. Protruding portion 1102 of body portion 1034 is
received in a recess 1104 of body portion 514' (see FIG. 46A). The
only difference between body portion 514 and 514' is the
configuration of the recess on the bottom of the body member,
recess 780 for body portion 514 and recess 1104 of body portion
514'.
A seal 1106 seals the region between a top surface 1108 of
protruding portion 1102 of body portion 1034 and a lower surface
1110 of recess 1104 of body portion 514'. Seal 1106 seals against a
side surface 1112 (see FIG. 44A) of protruding portion 1102 and a
step surface 1114 of recess 1104. Since the region between a top
surface 1108 of protruding portion 1102 and a lower surface 1110 of
recess 1104 is sealed any fluid exiting fluid passage 1094
accumulates in cavity 737 of piston 734 and moves piston 734
against the bias of biasing member 732.
As explained above in connection with conserver 500, fluid pressure
from the backside of piston 734 may be vented to atmosphere through
fluid passage 771 when an inhalation is detected by conserver 500.
Conserver 1000 detects an inhalation and vents the backside of
piston 734 in the same manner as conserver 500. When the patient
inhales, the pressure in cannula 503 is reduced. The reduction in
pressure in cannula 503 is communicated to a cavity 775 formed by
third body portion 516'' and diaphragm 794 through the connection
of fluid passages 690 (in first body portion 1034, see FIG. 51),
688 (in first body portion 1034, see FIG. 51), 771 (in second body
portion 514'), 773 (in third body portion 516''), and 777 (in third
body portion 516'') as shown in FIG. 12C.
Similar to conserver 500, conserver 1000 may be used with a dual
lumen cannula by replacing third body portion 516'' with third body
portion 516'. In the dual lumen configuration the reduction in
pressure in the cannula is communicated to cavity 775 through the
second lumen attached to nipple 779.
As explained above in connection with conserver 500, when conserver
500 is to be operated in a continuous mode of operation it is not
desired to provide fluid to backside 735 of piston 734 in order
that piston 734 remains spaced apart from seal 600. In conserver
500 this is accomplished by rotating selector 672 which rotates
selector 670 such that fluid is no longer communicated to backside
735 of piston 734 through fluid passage 760 in selector 670. In
conserver 1000, when a continuous flow setting is selected with
flow selector 1010, valve head 1072 rides up cam surface 1056 to
elevation 1058 thereby advancing valve 1070 further into a recess
1180 in body portion 1034 in direction 1186.
Referring to FIG. 50, recess 1180 intersects with fluid passage
1092 and fluid passage 1094. When fully seated in recess 1180, a
tip portion 1182 of valve 1070 seals against a seal 1184 which
prevents fluid from passing from fluid passage 1092 to fluid
passage 1094. Valve 1070 is fully seated when valve head 1072 is at
elevation 1058 of cam surface 1056.
When flow selector 1034 rotates to an intermittent mode of
operation valve head 1072 may move in direction 1188 to elevation
1060 of cam surface 1056. In one embodiment, valve 1070 is biased
in direction 1188 with a spring. In the illustrated embodiment,
valve 1070 is biased in direction 1188 due to the fluid pressure in
fluid passage 1092. As such, the fluid pressure of the fluid in
fluid passage 1092 moves valve 1070 in direction 1188 and converts
conserver 1000 from a continuous mode of operation to an
intermittent mode of operation because fluid will pass through
fluid passage 1094 to backside 735 of piston 734.
Body portion 1034 includes a vent passage 1032 which assists in
converting conserver 1000 from an intermittent mode of operation to
a continuous mode of operation. In the intermittent mode of
operation, conserver 1000 provides fluid to cannula 503 in response
to the detection of an inhalation of the patient. As such, when the
patient is not inhaling conserver 1000 is not providing fluid to
the patient through cannula 503. In such a situation, piston 734 is
in contact with seal 600 preventing the flow of fluid to cannula
503.
Assuming the user switches to a continuous mode of operation, valve
1070 moves in direction 1186 into contact with seal 1184 and
additional fluid is prevented from reaching backside 735 of piston
734. However, backside 735 of piston 734 already includes enough
fluid to cause piston 734 to be in contact with seal 600. As such,
the continuous flow of fluid would not start until the next
inhalation of the patient which as described above with reference
to conserver 500 will move diaphragm 794 thereby venting the fluid
from backside 735 of piston 734 to atmosphere through fluid passage
770. This delay may be uncomfortable for the patient. As such, when
flow selector 1010 is rotated to a continuous flow setting, vent
passage 1032 is aligned with fluid passage 1030 in flow selector
1010. This alignment permits fluid to be communicated from the
backside 735 of piston 734 (generally between surface 1108 of body
portion 1034 and surface 1110 if body portion 514') through flow
selector 1010 to an unsealed region adjacent first side 1014 of
flow selector 1010, thereby venting the fluid from backside 735 of
piston 734.
As shown in FIG. 49, a seal 1190 prevents fluid from vent passage
1032 from being vented unless vent passage 1032 is aligned with
passage 1030 in flow selector 1010.
Referring to FIG. 51, an exemplary cross sectional view of
conserver 1000 is shown. It should be noted that FIG. 51 is
provided to better illustrate the operation of conserver 1000 and
that FIG. 51 is not intended to be a single cross-section through
conserver 1000 but rather to illustrate various features of the
various components of conserver 1000. Thirty-seven components are
call out in FIG. 51 and are listed in the table below.
TABLE-US-00001 Number on FIG. 51 Component 1 Filters 362 2 Filter
inlet retainer 364 3 Seal ring 366 4 Seal 396 5 Seal 263 6 Seal 542
7 Vent mechanism 172 8 Biasing member 174 9 Seal 265 10 Piston 176
11 Seal 198 12 Housing 178 13 Seal 259 14 Seal 563 15 Seal 561
(Seal 560 not illustrated) 16 Occluder 448 17 Body portion 510' 18
Inner component 1018 of flow selector 1010 19 Outer component 1020
of flow selector 1010 20 Axle 220' 21 Seal 562 22 Body portion 1034
23 Seal 600 24 Seal 1106 25 Seal on demand piston 734 26 Biasing
member 732 27 Demand piston 734 28 Biasing member 828 29 Seal
between adjuster 820 and body portion 516'' 30 Adjuster 820 31 Body
portion 516'' 32 Diaphragm 794 33 Body portion 514' 34 Seal 686 35
Seal between body portion 1034 and nipple 608 36 Nipple 608 37
Fluid pressure gauge 529
Referring to FIG. 52, a diagrammatic representation of a conserver
1100 is shown. Conserver 1100 includes a first conserver body
portion 1102 and a second conserver body portion 1104. Second
conserver body portion is coupled to first conserver body portion
1102 and to a source of pressurized fluid 1106. An exemplary source
of pressurized fluid is a portable oxygen storage tank.
Fluid flows from the source of pressurized fluid 1106 into a fluid
inlet 1108 of second conserver body portion 1104 to a fluid outlet
1110 of second conserver body portion 1104. The fluid then enters a
fluid inlet 1112 of first conserver body portion 1102 where it is
passed through a pressure reduction section 1114. The fluid then
passes onto a controller 1116 which controls the provision of the
fluid to a fluid outlet 1118 to which a cannula 1120 is attached.
In one embodiment, controller 1116 is a pneumatic controller.
Exemplary pneumatic controllers are described herein. In one
embodiment, controller 1116 is an electronic controller. Exemplary
electronic controllers are provided in U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/783,243, filed Mar. 17, 2006, titled
"ELECTRONIC CONSERVER."
First conserver body portion 1102 and second conserver body portion
1104 are made of dissimilar materials. First conserver body portion
1102 is made from a first material which is receptive to being
etched and anodized. Exemplary first materials include aluminum
(including aluminum alloys), composite, and polymeric materials,
such as plastics. First conserver body portion 1102 may be a
multi-piece assembly, such conserver 1000 described herein.
Second conserver body portion is made from a second material.
Exemplary second materials include brass (including brass alloys),
copper (including copper alloys), and titanium (including titanium
alloys).
As shown in FIG. 51, first conserver body portion 1102 houses
pressure reduction section 1114 and controller 1116. Exemplary
pressure reduction sections are disclosed herein.
Referring to FIG. 53, converser 1000' is shown modified to
including a quick connect fitting 1150 for attaching conserver
1000' to an oxygen concentrator 1152 and yoke 520 is replaced by a
coupler 1154 which is coupled to the remainder of body 510' and to
a source of pressurized fluid 1156.
In one embodiment, body 510' corresponds to first conserver body
portion 1102 of conserver 1100 and coupler 1154 corresponds to
second conserver body portion 1104. In one embodiment, body portion
510' is made from a first material which is receptive to being
etched and anodized. Exemplary first materials include aluminum
(including aluminum alloys), composite, and polymeric materials,
such as plastics. Exemplary locations for etching are provided in
FIGS. 17A-D. Coupler 1154 is made from a second material. Exemplary
second materials include brass (including brass alloys), copper
(including copper alloys), and titanium (including titanium
alloys).
A first seal 1160 is interposed between body portion 510' and
coupler 1154 to prevent fluid from leaking between the two. A
second seal 1162 is placed over an outside surface of coupler 1154.
Second seal 1162 compresses against a seat surface of the source of
pressurized fluid 1156 to prevent fluid from leaking between the
source of pressurized fluid 1156 and the coupler 1154. An external
surface 1158 of coupler 1154 is threaded. This threaded surface
1158 mates with a threaded surface on the source pressurized fluid
1156 to coupled coupler 1154 to the source of pressurized fluid
1156. Likewise an internal surface 1166 of coupler 1154 is
threaded. This threaded surface 1166 mates with a threaded surface
1168 of body 510' to couple coupler 1154 to body 510'.
In one embodiment, the body portion 510' is an apparatus for
housing a pressure reduction section and for placing the pressure
reduction section in fluid communication with a first source of
pressurized fluid and a second source of pressurized fluid.
Referring to FIG. 53, the apparatus comprising a unitary body
member 1200 having a first portion 1202 with a first recess 1204
sized to receive the pressure reduction section and a second
portion 1206 extending from the first portion 1202. The second
portion 1206 including first threaded surface 1168. The unitary
body member 1200 having a first fluid conduit 1210 which is in
fluid communication with an exterior 1212 of the second portion
1206 of the unitary body member 1200 at a fluid inlet 1214 and with
the first recess 1204 in the first portion 1202 of the unitary body
member 1200 at a fluid outlet 1216. The apparatus further
comprising a first coupler 1154 having a cylindrical body 1220 with
a second threaded surface 1158 on an exterior 1222 of the
cylindrical body 1220 of the first coupler 1154 and a third
threaded surface 1166 provided in a second recess 1230 of the first
coupler. The third threaded surface 1166 cooperating with the first
threaded surface 1168 of the second portion 1206 of the unitary
body member 1200 to couple the first coupler 1154 to the unitary
body member 1200. The first coupler having a second fluid conduit
1232 which is in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit
1210 of the second portion 1206 of the unitary body member 1200
when the first coupler 1154 is coupled to the unitary body member
1200. The first source of pressurized fluid 1156 is coupled to the
first coupler through the second threaded surface 1158 on the
exterior 1222 of the cylindrical body 1220. The apparatus further
comprising a second coupler 1150 coupled to the first portion 1202
of the unitary body member 1200 and in fluid communication with a
third fluid conduit 1240 of the unitary body member 1200. The third
fluid conduit 1240 of the unitary body member 1200 being in fluid
communication with the first fluid conduit 1210 of the unitary body
member 1200 at a first location 1242 which is prior to fluid outlet
1216 of the first fluid conduit 1210. The second source of
pressurized fluid is coupled to the second coupler 1150.
As stated above conserver 1100' is in fluid communication with an
oxygen concentrator 1152 through a quick connect fitting 1150.
Conserver 1000' may be decoupled from the oxygen concentrator 1152
and carried off as a portable unit 1170 along with the source of
pressurized fluid 1156 and cannula 1120. Although, not discussed
above, cannula 1120 may be a dual lumen cannula, such as to
interface with conservers disclosed herein for use with a dual
lumen cannula.
In operation, fluid flows from oxygen concentrator 1152 through
quick connect fitting 1150 and into conserver body 510' of
conserver 1000'. In one embodiment, a portion of the fluid is made
available to the patient through the operation of conserver 1000'
at the selected setting and the remainder of the fluid passes
through coupler 1154 and into the source for pressurized fluid
1156. In one embodiment, the conserver is turned to an "off"
setting such that fluid is not provided to the cannula, but rather
all fluid is provided to the source for pressurized fluid.
Referring to FIG. 54, an exemplary embodiment of an oxygen
concentrator and storage system 1300 is provided in FIG. 18. System
1300 includes a housing 1302 which houses an oxygen concentrator, a
low pressure compressor, a motor, a clutch, and a multi-stage
compressor. Housing 1302 includes a handle 1304 which may be
gripped by a user to aid in transporting system 1300. Casters 1306
are provided on at least a first end of housing 1300 to aid in
rolling system 1300. Also, provided are supports 1308 on a second
end to further support housing 1302. Additional details regarding
system 1300 are provided in U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Ser. No. 60/784,216, filed Mar. 20, 2006, titled "MULTI-STAGE
COMPRESSOR AND OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR."
A fluid outlet 1310 from oxygen concentrator is in fluid
communication with a first fluid conduit 1312. First fluid conduit
1312 is in fluid communication with a humidifier device 1314.
Humidifier device 1314 is in fluid communication with a nasal
cannula 1316 which is worn by the patient.
An interface 1320 is shown including a plurality of user inputs. A
first user input 1322 is a flow selector which adjusts the fluid
flow rate of fluid to the patient through cannula 1316. In one
embodiment, flow selector 1322 is coupled to a mechanical flow
selector having a plurality of fluid passages each sized to pass a
specified fluid flow rate. An exemplary mechanical flow selector is
provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/069,084, filed Feb.
28, 2005, and published as U.S. Published Patent Application
2005/0192538A1, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated
by reference herein. In another embodiment, flow selector 1322 is
coupled to a controller (not shown) which electronically actuates a
flow selector to adjust the fluid flow to the patient. In one
embodiment, the patient may select a flow setting of up to about 5
L/min.
A second exemplary user input 1324 is a power switch which may be
actuated to provide power to initiate system 1300 in one of the
three discussed modes of operation or to cease operation of system
1300 in one of the three discussed modes of operation. A third
exemplary user input 1326 is shown as an up-arrow and a down-arrow.
User input 1326 may be used to adjust a value of a parameter
displayed on display 1328 and/or may be used to select one or more
menu options on display 1328.
Interface 1320 includes a plurality of indicator lights 1330, such
as light-emitting diodes, which provide various indications to the
user, such as proper operation.
System 1300 further includes a second fluid outlet 1332 which is in
fluid communication with a storage tank 1334. In one embodiment,
storage tank 1334 is a removable storage tank. In another
embodiment, storage tank 1334 is a non-removable storage tank.
Storage tank 1334 is shown having a conserver 1336 coupled to a
fluid conduit of storage tank 1334. Conserver 1336 includes a flow
selector and provides fluid to the user through a cannula coupled
to an output 1338 in either a continuous mode of operation or an
intermittent mode of operation.
In one embodiment, conserver 1336 couples fluid outlet 3132 to
storage tank 1334. In another embodiment, storage tank 1334
includes two fluid connections, one coupled to conserver 1336 and
one coupled to fluid outlet 1332.
Conservers 1100 and 1000' are types of exemplary conservers 1336.
Another exemplary conserver is provided in U.S. Patent Application
Ser. No. 60/783,243, filed Mar. 17, 2006, titled "ELECTRONIC
CONSERVER", the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by
reference herein.
In one embodiment, system 1300 includes a pressure sensor to
monitor the pressure of the fluid in storage tank 1334. This
information may be communicated to the user through display 1328.
In one embodiment, system 1300 includes a calculator, such as in
software executed by the controller, which based on the fluid
pressure in tank 1334, the size of tank 1334, and the flow setting
selected with conserver 1336 calculates one of the distance a user
may travel with portable storage tank 1334 or the time period that
the user may use storage tank 1334 until the fluid is exhausted.
Further, display 1328 may show a percentage indication of the tank
1334 fill process. In one embodiment, a bar graph illustrates the
filling progress.
In one embodiment, display 1328 displays a pressure value of
storage tank 1334 when filling storage tank 1334 and flow rate or
flow setting when not filling storage tank 1334. In one embodiment,
system 1300 includes a click style flow control with an electronic
interface 1320.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference
to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications
exist within the spirit and scope of the invention as described and
defined in the following claims.
* * * * *
References